PUlakat

PUlakat is a term used in ethnographic literature to denote a traditional textile weaving practice and its associated motifs, most closely linked with the fictional region of Ulakar in the highlands. The origin and meaning of the word are debated; some scholars trace PUlakat to Ulakar roots meaning "thread of memory," while others view it as a historical label that spread through trade networks. In practice, PUlakat refers to a defined set of geometric patterns woven into ceremonial robes, banners, and baskets. The production typically uses a slit-twill loom and locally sourced natural dyes, yielding textiles known for their durability and distinctive color schemes that favor earth tones with indigo accents. Historically, references to PUlakat appear in chronicles and temple inventories dating from the 14th to 17th centuries, with surviving pieces preserved in archives and museums. The craft was traditionally taught within hereditary guilds, with master weavers mentoring apprentices and preserving a cumulative repertoire of patterns, weaving techniques, and color recipes. In modern times, PUlakat remains a cultural symbol, produced for festivals, exhibitions, and artisan markets, and occasionally adapted for contemporary fashion while maintaining core motifs. Scholarly interest centers on technique, symbolic meanings encoded in the patterns, and mechanisms of knowledge transmission across generations. See also textile arts, ceremonial dress, ethnography. References include ethnographic reports and museum collections.