Pulu
is Tibetans' traditional woolen fabric and the main material for making
robes, boots, hats, and other items for Tibetans in farming areas, and
in cities and towns. The fabric has a history of more than 2,000 years.
Pulu is as important and popular among Tibetans as cotton clothes are to
inland Chinese.
Pulu is fine and thick, soft and smooth. It is made of Tibetan felt
and usually white. Wool is the raw ingredient in the process of making
the material.
First, it is fluffed and combed before it is twisted into a thread
around a spindle using fingers. It is then weaved with a wood shuttle
loom into pulu.
The fabric is generally about 24 centimeters wide, and can be dyed black
to be made into clothes, shoes and hats. It is typically dyed red, blue
or green when it is used as adornment. In addition to monochromatic
cloth, pulu can also be dyed with cross-shaped designs.
Pulu is found in many types. It is thick and durable, warm, windproof, and rainproof. Robes made of pulu are water-repellent.
There are clear and definite records showing that pulu fabric was
very popular in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In the Yuan
Dynasty (1271-1368), pulu was carried to the imperial palaces of the
Central Plains as a tribute.
Pulu production is quite popular in agricultural areas and areas that
are semi-agricultural and practice some animal husbandry. Chanang,
Nanggarze, Gyangze and Mangkan are best known for their production of
pulu, and products made with it are transported and sold in other places
of China and even abroad.
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