Hand Woven Scarf—Weaving, Unisex, Refugee Made, Woman Made, selling Buffalo, New York

Each of our hand-woven scarves is one of a kind—as individual as the woman who made it! Each is lovingly crafted in our studio or in the home of a resettled refugee woman from Buffalo, NY. They are made using soft, lightweight fibers (mixed) for a soft finish and easy wear through many seasons. Dimensions listed do not include fringe.

This scarf was made by:

ARTIST NAME: Hsergay Moo
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Burma

ABOUT BACK-STRAP LOOM WEAVING
Many Refugees bring with them the rich cultural tradition of back-strap loom weaving. This vibrant art form is handed down from generation to generation; the only way to learn is by watching and imitating. Some weavers learned as children, others while living in Refugee camps.

Usually set up outdoors, one end of the loom is affixed to a rod and looped around a tree or post. The opposite end is attached to another rod with straps that wrap around the weaver's back. Sitting on the ground, she leans back to provide the tension necessary to weave.

For many women, weaving is a way to express their culture and maintain vital connections to now-fractured families. Sadly, weavers are often forced to leave their looms behind when they depart the camps. With a grant from the Simple Gifts Foundation, Stitch Buffalo created a unique system to adapt looms for portable indoor use— allowing women to weave once again. We are pleased to support this sharing of art and culture (among native residents as well as with other ethnic groups), which research has demonstrated leads to a strong sense of self-identity and helps Immigrant/Refugee groups survive and prosper in their new country.

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ABOUT STITCH BUFFALO
Our mission at Stitch Buffalo is to advance social justice for refugee women in Buffalo, NY, by creating opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and economic empowerment through textile arts. We aim to empower refugee women by providing meaningful work and a fair wage. Like the domino effect, this small but powerful financial independence infuses each woman, her family and, in turn, her community. Through the creation of beautiful, handcrafted textiles, she is nurturing her cultural heritage selling while assuring her self-worth as a woman and a human being.

To learn more about Stitch Buffalo, visit www.stitchbuffalo.org. If you're in the Buffalo, NY, area, you can also visit our storefront! See website for hours and location.

More products made by the Refugee Women's Workshop are available. Please visit: www.etsy.com/shop/StitchBuffaloShop to see their incredible creations!