Wolfgang's photos with the keyword: Silk manufactory

Silk weaving is a tradition that seems to have been introduced to Cambodia back in the 13th century thanks to the Silk Road that once wandered through Southeast Asia. This craft is practiced by women in rural villages using traditional looms set up below their stilted houses during the dry season when the women are not out working in the fields. This silk is one of the finest fabrics in the world. It is different from the other producer of silk. How different! Difference at the process of manufacturing and normally hand woven, high quality, which make this silk to be unique, popular fabric of the world.

Silk weaving had been a tradition since the 7th century in Cambodia.

Finally, when dyed and dry, the silk is spun into continuous yarn on wooden reels ready for weaving. This silk is one of the finest fabrics in the world. How different! Difference at the process of manufacturing and normally hand woven, high quality, which make this silk to be unique.

The ingenuity of Cambodia silk makers shines through as the spinning machines are often made from recycled bicycle wheels.

Nowadays, silk weaving is done in rural villages where this age-old tradition still remains, thanks to the women who pass this savoir-faire on to the upcoming generation ... ... and In Cambodia, nothing goes to waste. After the silk is removed from the cocoons, the silkworms are eaten as a nutritious snack, providing much needed protein and fat. Many cultures all over the world have been eating insects for centuries, and while this may be distasteful to many Westerners, many Cambodians enjoy the taste and the health benefits of silkworms.

At the entrance of the silk factory this kids represent them selves for a photoshoot. The small girl on the left side is practicing how to show the Victory sign.

After nearly 5,000 years of selective breeding, silk moths have lost the ability to fly and cannot survive without humans. Silk is a by-product of silkworms gorging on the leaves of mulberry trees. They spin cocoons which are then harvested and boiled. The threads for weaving are drawn from the resulting floss. But while sericulture is similar world-wide, there are major regional differences. In Cambodia, "yellow" silkworms evolved to match the tropical climate, while in the more temperate regions of China and Japan, higher-producing "white" silkworms are the insects of choice.

The weavers start by degumming the silk so that the thread can be unwound from the silk cocoons. After that, the silk is dyed. The dyeing process is done using natural pigments. Ten kilograms of cocoons will produce one kilogram of cambodia silk.

Charles De Gaulle Ave along the Siem Reap River to the Old Market.

Each creation is therefore a unique piece, a testimony to the preservation of the history of Cambodia and its silk tradition.