Woven Identity: The Evolution and Cultural Significance of Santali Textile Traditions

The Santali people of Eastern India possess a rich heritage in which textiles serve as a primary medium of cultural expression and identity. This paper explores the profound historical trajectory of Santali weaving, tracing its evolution from a self-sufficient, ecologically integrated practice to its near extinction under the pressures of modernization, displacement and market economies. This narrative of decline is contrasted with a powerful contemporary revival movement, spearheaded by grassroots organizations, which is fundamentally reshaping the craft's production models, material palette, and socio-economic dynamics. By examining the shift from a male-dominated craft to one, cantered on the economic empowerment of women artisans, and from reliance on market goods to a sustainable "soil-to-shelf" ecosystem, this research highlights the remarkable resilience of Santali textile traditions. The paper ultimately provides critical insights into the adaptation and preservation of indigenous craft heritage in a globalized world, demonstrating how cultural identity can be both reaffirmed and redefined for a new generation.

Woven, Identity, Evolution ,Cultural Significance ,Santali Textile ,Traditions

1. N/A [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Sustainable Innovations in Textile Finishing