Dogri Woollen Weaving of the Jammu Region

The Dogra people of the Jammu region have a distinct woollen weaving tradition using local sheep wool from the Shiwalik hills. Traditional Dogri textiles include the pattoo woollen blanket, khaddar cotton yardage, and the distinctive Jammu shawl with multicolour horizontal stripe patterns different from the Kashmir shawl tradition. Weaving centres are found in Udhampur, Reasi, and Ramban districts. The Dogri loom is a ground-level horizontal frame loom. Natural wool is hand-spun, naturally dyed with madder, walnut hull, and saffron, and woven into warm shawls and wraps for the Himalayan winter. Jammu craft organizations have supported revival of the Dogri handloom sector which had declined with mill cloth availability. Cultural identity value of Dogri pattoo among Dogra community is driving renewed demand.