The Production of a Belt

So when you look at these belts, a new meaning may emerge after you know the work behind it all.....

The background fabric... this fabric is made in a family workshop, who employees 3 other men in total. This is a mans job (as they say!)It takes one person, one day to complete the fabric for one narrow belt. An average work day is 6am to 6pm. (subtract an hour or two for lunch). Do not forget that before this sheeps wool is woven, the same men collect this wool from the local markets and do all of the dying themselves. It takes another day to dye and dry the yarn (depending on the quantity of course). This workshop also dyes and prepares all of the sheeps wool for the additional embroidery.

The embroidery on the belts....
This cooperative is comprised of about 50 women who come by weekly to pick up their surplus of yarn and woven belts to embroider. They do not have to pay for the yarn, they are paid per belt considering it is difficult to track their hours. Please note, a majority of the women walk miles to pick up the neccessary materials to embroider at the coop. It is too expensive to take taxis and they often dont even make it to their homes, which are on the hillside and impossible to drive to. The women work in the early morning and in the afternoons, until about ten a night. It varies of course. The women work when they arent busy cooking, cleaning, or taking care of their children. They average a belt a day. This seems to work for them. They all say they love their work, but need more of it!!! That is where I come in!