Producing exquisite hand woven silk fabric

Published December 17, 2012
Cambodian weaver Sei Ha prepares fine silk threads in a loom for weaving at his family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Cambodian weaver Sei Ha prepares fine silk threads in a loom for weaving at his family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Chan Da prepares fine gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Chan Da prepares fine gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Gold coloured silk cocoons nesting in branches are harvested at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Gold coloured silk cocoons nesting in branches are harvested at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Silk producer Nara Chan inspects baskets of silkworm larvae under propagation at the family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Silk producer Nara Chan inspects baskets of silkworm larvae under propagation at the family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Silkworm larvae feed on mulberry leaves at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Silkworm larvae feed on mulberry leaves at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
A weaver prepares fine Cambodian gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village, located in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh.  ? AFP Photo
A weaver prepares fine Cambodian gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village, located in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh. ? AFP Photo
A variety of plants that are the source of natural dyes for silk threads are pictured in a basket at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
A variety of plants that are the source of natural dyes for silk threads are pictured in a basket at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Cambodian girl Chan Ran spins silk thread at her family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Cambodian girl Chan Ran spins silk thread at her family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Chan Da prepares fine gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Chan Da prepares fine gold-coloured silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Silk producer Nara Chan displays silk table cloth at her family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village, located in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh.  ? AFP Photo
Silk producer Nara Chan displays silk table cloth at her family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village, located in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh. ? AFP Photo
Nara Chan arranges fine silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Nara Chan arranges fine silk threads in a loom for weaving at a silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Cambodian grandmother Pres Noun (R), 68, poses with her children and grandchildren beside wooden looms at the family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo
Cambodian grandmother Pres Noun (R), 68, poses with her children and grandchildren beside wooden looms at the family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village. ? AFP Photo

Cambodian weavers prepare fine silk threads in a loom for weaving at their family's silk farm in Prek Bongkong village, located in Kandal province near the capital Phnom Penh.

Cambodia’s silk production that has flourished since 13th century was decimated during the four-year rule of communist Khmer Rouge regime in mid-70’s. Artisans who escaped and survived the political and civil unrest struggled to revive the craft.

Boosted by aid from UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, villagers in Banteay Meanchey, Kandal, Kompong Cham,Takeo, Prey Veng and Siem Reap provinces are now producing exquisite hand woven silk fabric where the unique natural golden color silk are drawing local and international buyers. — Photos and Text by AFP

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