Assamese Gamcha Cloth

The ornate, hand-woven Assamese Gamcha is a cotton cloth presented to honoured guests and loved ones. It is also used to wrap deities during worship. Most houses in Assam have their own handlooms where gamchas are woven, often as dowry items or simply to show off the skills of the weaver. Decorative elements include conch shells, peacocks and assorted floral and geometric motifs. Sizes vary, but 60cm X 120cm seems an average size. Here where deities go unwrapped and dowries are rare, gamchas can be used as table-cloths, table runners or food covers for outdoor dining.