Dumbara weaving and traditional crafts where can I see and buy authentic Sri Lankan handicrafts like the Dumbara mats
I collect traditional crafts and I read about Dumbara weaving (the distinctive woven mats and textiles from the Dumbara valley near Kandy) and other Sri Lankan handicrafts Where can I see these being made and buy authentic pieces what is special about Dumbara weaving and what other genuine crafts should I seek (lacquerware brassware reed and palm weaving) how do I find the real artisan made items not mass produced souvenirs and support the craftspeople Craft lovers and locals please tell me where to find authentic handicrafts
7 Answers from travellers
Crafts guide so the authentic handicrafts picture a wonderful pursuit Dumbara weaving the gem DUMBARA RATA (Dumbara weaving) from the Dumbara valley (Thalagune and the area near Kandy) is a celebrated traditional weaving heritage handwoven MATS wall hangings and textiles in distinctive geometric and motif patterns (traditionally from hana a hemp like fibre and cotton in earthy and bold designs) it is a centuries old craft passed down in particular families and recognised as a precious heritage textile the genuine Dumbara mats are beautiful durable and collectible Where to see and buy it go to the SOURCE the Dumbara valley villages (around Thalagune near Kandy) where the weaving families work you can see the looms watch the weaving and buy direct (the most authentic and the best support for the artisans ask locally or via a Kandy craft guide) also the government and reputable CRAFT outlets (Laksala the state craft shop and established craft centres) stock genuine Dumbara pieces Other genuine crafts to seek LACQUERWARE (laksha the colourful turned and lacquered wood items boxes and ware a traditional craft from the Matale and central area) BRASSWARE (Pilimathalawa near Kandy is famed for brass casting) WOOD CARVING and the carved masks (Ambalangoda the mask threads) REED PALM and RUSH weaving (baskets mats from various regions) HANDLOOM textiles and BATIK (the batik craft) POTTERY beautiful CANE and rattan and the silver and gem JEWELLERY (the gem and jewellery threads) How to find the REAL thing not mass produced go to the CRAFT VILLAGES and artisans directly (Dumbara valley Pilimathalawa for brass Matale area for lacquer Ambalangoda for masks) where you see it MADE buy from LAKSALA (the state craft chain reliable for authentic quality and fair to artisans) and reputable craft centres and cooperatives ask where and by whom an item was made avoid the generic tourist shop trinkets (often imported or mass produced) a piece you watched being made or from a trusted craft source is the real deal Supporting craftspeople buying DIRECT from the artisans and villages or from cooperatives and Laksala ensures your money supports the makers and the survival of these heritage crafts (many are endangered traditions) which is the best way to value them So for authentic handicrafts seek DUMBARA WEAVING at the source in the Dumbara valley near Kandy (watch the looms buy direct) and the other genuine crafts (lacquerware from Matale brass from Pilimathalawa masks from Ambalangoda handloom batik reed weaving pottery) buy from the craft villages the artisans directly and reliable outlets like Laksala to get the real artisan made pieces and support the craftspeople and their heritage
The brass casting at Pilimathalawa near Kandy is fascinating to watch the artisans working the metal by traditional methods and buying a piece there supports a living craft pairing the brass village with the Dumbara weaving makes a brilliant crafts day around Kandy
Laksala the state craft shop is a great reliable starting point if you cannot get to the villages authentic quality fair prices and a good range of the genuine crafts under one roof so you can see what is real before hunting the source pieces a useful benchmark for authenticity
The ask where and by whom it was made advice is the key test for authenticity a genuine craft seller can tell you the village and the maker a tourist trinket shop cannot so that simple question quickly separates the real artisan pieces from the mass produced imports
Visiting the weaving families in the Dumbara valley is the real experience seeing the patterns built thread by thread on the loom and buying a mat from the hands that made it means far more than a shop purchase and the families love to share their craft with a genuinely interested visitor
Seek Dumbara weaving at the source in the Dumbara valley near Kandy and the other genuine crafts like lacquerware brass masks and handloom buying from the craft villages the artisans directly and reliable outlets like Laksala to get real artisan made pieces and support the craftspeople this is exactly the authentic crafts guide I wanted thank you
Following up visited a Dumbara weaving family near Kandy as suggested and bought a mat straight from the loom watching them weave the geometric patterns was unforgettable and the piece means so much more for it thank you all for sending me to the source
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