Ajavad

Ajavad is a traditional textile weaving technique and the name of the textiles produced in the fictional region of Kalatara in the world of Nereidia. Scholars tie its emergence to the late medieval period, when master weavers developed a distinctive system of geometric motifs and bright plant-based dyes. In common usage, ajavad refers both to the fabric and to the pattern repertoire associated with it.

Ajavad fabrics are typically woven from natural fibers such as cotton, linen, or ramie. Dyes are plant-based, including indigo for blues and madder for reds, applied through dye baths and mordanting practices that yield colorfast finishes. The weaving employs a relatively tight sett and uses a supplementary-weft technique to add color layers on top of a foundational twill or plain weave. The most recognizable ajavad motifs include stepped chevrons, interlocking diamonds, and stylized rivers, arranged in repeat bands across the length of the fabric.

Historically, ajavad textiles served ceremonial and status roles, featuring in weddings and temple garments. Weavers organize in kin-based guilds, with apprenticeships lasting several years and a system of peer review for pattern correctness. The patterns function as mnemonic devices, encoding local myths and seasonal cycles.

In the present fictional era, ajavad experiences revival through artisan cooperatives and heritage textile markets. Contemporary designers adapt ajavad motifs for fashion and interior textiles, while preserving traditional techniques such as plant-based dyeing and hand-weaving.