Weaving is a central part of Karen tradition and culture. Backstrap weaving (pictured above) is the work of women in their homes and produces detailed and high quality bags, shirts, sarongs and blankets. For many families in the refugee camps this is the only source of much-needed income. Men and women weave using large looms to produce large pieces of cloth for blankets and sarongs. Both conventional chemical dyes and traditional natural dyes using bark, earth and other materials sourced from the natural environment are used.
Other Karen handicrafts include basket weaving, sewing and embroidery.