I will be in Cambodia in for several months starting in October and would like to purchase a couple of good quality silk rugs and/or wall hangings to take home as my only souvenirs. I do not want to buy from any second or third party but right from the makers wherever they are and see them weaving. Could someone out there tell me if this is possible, what area/village to go to do that and if anyone has experiences dealing with these craftspeople. I only speak English and would this create a problem. I am a traveller, not a tourist and want to learn about silk weaving part of the Cambodian culture. Thanks.
1
bigal1
I have not seen them myself but I would guess you are going to need someone to help you with the language once you have found a vilage. You might be able to locate and negotiate a price by yourself but not learn about silk weaving part of the Cambodian culture.
Just beware of the tuk/tuk driver tour guide offers of help
2
chiltern
Just beware of the tuk/tuk driver tour guide offers of help
So whose advice should you accept?
3
sanityclause
My Cambodian wife used to purchase them for a now defunct NGO that sold crafts. She used to buy them in a small village in Takeo Province. Eventually middlemen used to buy into the looms, i.e. they had a monopoly on all the products and they sold them to either customers who had pre-ordered or to NGOs. I doubt that you will be able to deal directly with weavers for tapestries. I assume you mean the wall hangings. I have never seen a hand-woven silk rug in Cambodia in 18 years here. Most people use "keuntail",which are woven straw mats-quite large. Your best bet will be to visit an NGO in Phnom Penh or Siam Reap.
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