Jath Embroidery

Jath Embroidery

Dhanetah Jaths migrated from Halaf five centuries ago and the search for new grazing grounds led them to Baluchistan and Sindh. Later, they managed the extremely hazardous crossing of the unpredictable Rann and settled in various regions in Kutch and Gujarat.

A conspicuous item of jewellery that augment the striking appearance of the sharp-featured, slim and tall Dhanetah Jath women is the incredibly heavy nose ring, Nath, used only after marriage.

The design and technique used for the rendition of stitches in this variety of embroidery is reminiscent of the embroidery done by the Turkomans settled in the area around the Caspian Sea of Iran. The embroidery is bold in application and contains explicit, evenly distributed motifs with strong outlines worked out in black. A polychrome colour scheme is used in a prominent white field.