Weaving   |   Silver

In Ethiopia EDImports work with artisans who weave beautiful textiles such as shawls and pillow covers inspired by traditional motifs. All weaving is done by hand without the benefit of modern tools or technologies. Often looms are designed and built by the artisans themselves and the cotton used as the base of most garments is locally grown and spun in Ethiopia.

The workshops have the dual goals of providing talented weavers with living wages and of introducing the rest of the world to the rich heritage of indigenous Ethiopian weaving.

There are more than 50,000 weavers in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, and most earn the national minimum wage of about $5/week. The weavers employed by our groups can regularly make three times this amount and can earn up to ten times if the demand is available.

Artisans are involved in the design of the product, receive (and give!) technical training and have access to advance payment and loans. A meal is typically served to the weavers during the workday and facilities such as showers are often available.