PANCHACHULI WOMEN WEAVERS WAS FOUNDED IN 2005 AS A SELF SUFFICIENT AND VIBRANT PRIVATE ENTERPRISE OWNED AND MANAGED BY WOMEN FROM THE RURAL AREAS OF ALMORA IN THE KUMAON HIMALAYAS OF THE STATE OF UTTARAKHAND IN NORTHERN INDIA.

High in the Himalayas, at the foot of the Panchachuli range of peaks and close to the Tibetan border, lies the township of Munsiyari and the tribal villages of the Johari bhotiyas whose women traditionally wove beautiful handlooms in pashmina and sheepwool while their menfolk engaged in the arduous but profitable trans Himalayan trade with Tibet.

Inspired by the craftsmanship of a remaining handful of master weavers, Panchachuli Women Weavers was conceived a decade ago and the dream of empowering hundreds of women through reviving handlooms in the region and beyond was brought to fruition thanks to the generosity and constant support and personal involvement of Dena Kaye.