samdar

Samdar is a traditional textile technique described in the fictional region of Kethara. It covers a family of fabrics produced through coordinated dyeing and weaving processes, and it is commonly associated with ceremonial garments and regional identity.

Etymology and method: The name is attributed to the Ketharan language, with sam meaning color and dar meaning to weave. Practitioners use natural dyes—indigo, madder, and plant tannins—applied by resist methods such as wax or paste, before or during weaving on a loom. The resulting textiles display geometric motifs, often arranged in bands and panels. Typical materials include wool and cotton yarns, with mordants to fix colors.

History and culture: Historical records place samdar in late medieval Kethara, where guilds regulated motifs and colors. The practice faded during industrialization but experienced a revival in the late 20th century through artisan cooperatives and cultural programs. Samdar textiles are used in weddings, harvest celebrations, and public rituals, with motifs serving as symbols of kinship, status, and local legend.

Contemporary practice: Today, samdar is taught in craft schools and preserved by cultural organizations. Modern practitioners blend traditional patterns with contemporary fashion, while some communities maintain strict adherence to ancestral palettes and weaving sequences to preserve identity. Variants exist in motif sets and dye recipes, reflecting local dialects of Ketharan culture.

See also: textile arts; resist dyeing; ikat.