Rudiben Jivabhai Rava

India

Year(s) attended: 2010

Embroidery

In the harsh desert region of North Gujarat, the nomadic Ahir community, devotees of Krishna, have for centuries followed their cattle from one place to another throughout the year.

In recent years, the women of the Ahir community have begun to supplement their meager income by banding together to make and sell the beautiful mirrored embroidery for which they are known throughout India.

Most women began at an early age to learn the many different embroidery stitches with which they create a dowry of beautifully embroidered textiles to bring with them to their in-law’s home after their wedding.

Dowry items traditionally include everything necessary to decorate their new homes—door panels, canopies, cradle covers, wall hangings, bullock cart coverings, cattle decorations, as well as their own elaborate garments--all heavily embroidered and mirrored, with the motifs of the natural world around them--stylized flora and fauna, insects, animals and village scenes.

Through this monumental cooperative organization, known as SEWA—Self Employed Women’s Association--women embroidery artisans like Rudiben Jivabhai Rava have managed to build a sustainable economic life in their communities and even save for the future education of their children.

As Jivabhai says of this organization, “It has worried for us and been with us in our days of joy and sorrow equally and supported us to re-establish ourselves and prosper.”