Under the latest and popular online series of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya entitled ‘Exhibit of Week’ the Doukho, woolen coat collected from 1988 of the Bhotia community of chamoli, Uttarakhand was exhibited. It’s Measurement Length - 90 cm, Width – 85 cm. displayed in the audience as The Fourth Exhibit of the month of November, 2020 through official website, Facebook, Instagram and twitter page of the IGRMS.
In this regard Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS (Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya) said that, initially this series will focus on the masterpieces from its collection which are considered as unique for their contribution to the cultural history of a particular ethnic group or area. Doukho is a traditional woolen coat used by the Bhotia community of Chamoli, Uttarakhand. It is a short sleeveless jacket reaches up to the knees and tied at waist by a woolen girdle. Doukhos are usually made of un – dyed white wool of the sheep or goat. As the jacket is very warm, it protects the nomads from extreme cold weather.
Regarding this object Sudeepa Roy said that Bhotia inhabiting in the high mountainous range has traditionally been associated with practice of pastoral nomadism, weaving and agriculture. So woolen handloom craft prevalent among Bhotias has a long history.
Bhotias weave various woolen items like shawl, sweater, blankets, caps, carpets etc. Weaving is mainly the autonomy of the women folk whereas extracting wool and processing work is mainly done by the male folk. Woolen clothes are woven by the Bhotia women only during winters as they have other seasonal engagements such as cultivation, harvesting and storing the crops. Bhotias weave these woolen items not only for self-use but also sell it in nearby markets and go to remote villages to sell the woolen materials.
