A cooperative based in Shannan, Tibet, is playing a vital role in preserving the centuries-old traditional weaving crafts of ‘Pulu’ and ‘Jeter.’ Established by Pasang, the cooperative provides employment to over 100 locals and is passing these artisanal skills onto younger generations. Recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, ‘Jeter’ fabric is a premium textile made from the soft wool of special sheep breeds. (July 9, Shannan)
Within the cooperative, dozens of men and women weave wool threads on wooden looms. Founded in 2008 by Tibetan artisan Pasang, the cooperative employs more than 100 locals, including people with disabilities. It specializes in producing ‘Jeter’ fabric. Unlike typical Pulu, which uses coarser wool, Jeter is crafted from the soft wool found around the neck and back of these sheep. Pasang explained that spinning such fine wool into thread is considerably more challenging.
According to Pasang, Jeter is lighter, softer, and more delicate than regular Pulu. During the Ming dynasty, this fabric was sent from Tibet as gifts or honors to the Chinese imperial court. Pasang recalls that when he learned this skill, fewer than ten people still knew how to weave Jeter. He expressed confidence that with its designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the younger generation will continue to safeguard this traditional craft.
The wool used for Jeter is sourced from sheep raised in the Shannan region at around 3,700 meters above sea level. The cooperative’s workshop also displays statues of the seventh-century Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo and Chinese princess Wencheng. Local tradition holds that after Princess Wencheng married the king, she introduced weaving techniques to Tibet, leading to the art’s development. The cooperative’s showroom offers a variety of products made from Pulu and Jeter, including scarves, coats, jackets, and bags. Pasang noted that while customers also come from other parts of China, Tibet remains the primary market for these goods.
