WALUNG RUGS
WALUNG, refers to the fox (Tibetan: Wa) who, in village folklore, offered guidance (Tibetan: Lung) to the lama who founded their ancient monastery
The Backstory
When we travel, sometimes there is a strong, often enigmatic something - that first draws us to a particular place and then keeps drawing us back. For me one of those places is Olanchung Gola, a remote Himalayan community deeply rooted in rich Tibetan cultural and historical traditions. I first 'discovered' the village in 2014, while researching a remote trekking expedition for our affiliate company, Whistling Arrow, and, with my longstanding passion for traditional Tibetan rugs, was immediately struck by the artisanal pieces that I found.
Before Covid, typically in November, I would head back to eastern Nepal to explore this spectacular region, to once again join old friends in celebrating their annual village festival. At that time, I would source a few more hand knotted rugs directly from the weavers that made them, to replenish the collection, and to contribute in some small way to empowering these wonderful women, and helping them sustain their ancient craft; one that has sadly disappeared throughout most of the wider Tibetan Himalaya. In recent years, I have not been able to revist the village, or replenish the collection, so currently there are only a handfiul of rugs left for sale.
I hope you enjoy these uniqueTibetan wool rugs as much as I do.
Warm regards,
Adrian Bottomley (Chief Rug Officer:)
Perhaps one day I'll be able to join the weavers for a traditional Tibetan dance once again!
Some of the weavers enjoying a dance at festival time.
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