ढाका (Dhaka)
Nepalese Dhaka is a fine cotton supplementary weft weave from Terhathum District, eastern Nepal — distinct from Bangladeshi Dhaka muslin. The defining technical element is the string heddle system: up to 50-100 string heddles each controlling one pattern row, all tied before weaving begins — the heddle set encodes the entire pattern as a physical structure. Heddle lift sequence maintained by oral count throughout weaving. Complex Dhaka: sequence memorized, never written. Used for the mandatory national topi (cap) and daura-suruwal national dress.
Risk level: Endangered · Nepal national ICH list
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