çkarsamal

Çkarsamal is a traditional textile weaving practice attributed to the fictional Çkarsam people of the Arin Highlands. The term also denotes the ceremonial cloth produced through the practice. The craft combines spinning, dyeing, and weaving into an iterative process that culminates in a large textile used in seasonal rituals.

Origin and etymology: The name is thought to derive from the Çkarsam language, with possible influences from neighboring tongues. Earliest narratives place its emergence in the early settlement period of the Highlands, with the first documented references appearing in village chronicles from the 17th century.

Technique and motifs: Artisans employ hand-spun wool and plant-based dyes, including madder red, indigo blue, and ochre. Patterns are geometric, often featuring solar motifs and water-wave lines. Weaving is performed on backstrap looms or frame looms, depending on locality, and emphasizes communal participation.

Social role and modern status: Çkarsamal functions as a symbol of community identity and continuity. Apprentices learn under master weavers, and the finished cloth is presented during harvest and solstice rites. In contemporary practice, çkarsamal patterns appear in broader textile design, while traditional methods are preserved by local guilds and cultural programs.

See also: Intangible cultural heritage, Textile arts, Ceremonial weaving.