SALUPELA

Amaterah’s latest collection “SALU PELA” comprises super comfortable and stylish scarves hand loomed in Sri Lanka. Hand looming is a highly labor-intensive traditional method of textile production. This requires interlacing different sets of yarns in a specific order using wooden machinery. “SALU PELA” scarves are an expression of not only the heritage but also the artistic talent of hard-working Sri Lankan traditional hand-looming artisans.

Sri Lankan hand looming dates to the 6th century BC and shares a strong connection to the beginning the of “Sinhala” race. According to “Mahawamsa” (The meticulously kept historical chronicle of Sri Lanka written in Pali language and in the style of an epic poem), Princess Kuweni, the tribal princess of Sri Lanka was busy with her weaving wheel when Indian Prince Wijaya arrived in Sri Lanka. The tribal princess Kuweni supported prince Wijaya to become the first Sinhalese king of Sri Lanka.

Historically the weavers have evolved as two groups; the indigenous weaving communities in areas like Thalgune, and master weavers who arrived from India on Royal order to make gold-woven handlooms. Right now, Sri Lankan handloom weavers are scattered throughout the island, with some of them being traditional weavers who have a generational connection with the craft. Indigenous handloom weavers use yarns that have been homespun from cotton cultivated in chenas and use natural dyes from seeds, flowers, barks, and roots to induce color. Handloom designs are almost always inspired by shapes and designs from nature.

The luxe collection of Amaterah handloom scarves, “DUMBARA” comprises handmade weavings from the small community in the lush Dumbara Valley (a.k.a Knuckles Mountain range). Dumbara is one of the few villages left where handloom textile weaving is a living heritage and traditional weavers here are famous for their unique art and the conventional designs called “Dumbara Rata”. These unique textiles made in Dumbara were mainly for the Kandyan Kings and aristocrats way back in the ancient times of Sri Lankan history. Ancient pieces of Dumbara textiles can be found today preserved in the Victoria and Albert Museum in England, and the natural museums in Colombo and Kandy, Sri Lanka.

Each piece of Amaterah Dumbara luxe edition scarves has its own origin craft’s place of origin and artistic representation and holds its value as a heritage that is rarely handmade, unique in design, and took weeks to create.