Inspired by the previous blog post Sophie wrote to me to ask to write a guest post... enjoy this wisdom I have been witness to the story of Tamay & Me for 8 years (and its inception another 8 years before that). It is the sort of love story that seems to get deeper with time. It carries a kind of enlivenment – a rare and sacred thing, especially in these times. To bear witness is a beautiful and humbling role. I also believe it to be necessary. For what are we humans to do if not shed some tears for and sing the love songs of that which we propose to learn from? Surely this could be a...
Tamay & Me is an almost all women business ... (We do have 1 man on the team.) For me, the Dzao woman represents the ancient woman. It is magnificent to see in real life. I have always romanticised the ancient woman. A connected woman. A strong woman. The Dzao women are strong. They are proud. They rule the roost at home. Almost all of them are the breadwinners. Dzao women get up between 3-4 am each day. They are farmers. They are the most exceptional embroiderers. They make their own clothes. They have lots of kids. They look after their elderly. They cook healthy fresh food everyday. They chat and gossip. They move through each day...
The Dzao people live and breathe ethical. In the West, we are trying to re-find a way of wearing clothes that don't cost the earth. The Dzao have been doing it for centuries in the most beautiful way. The Dzao make their own clothes. They make them with pride to show off their skills and their identity. Every year a Dzao woman will make themselves a new set of clothes. A pair of trousers covered in embroidery and a jacket with the finest tail piece, sleeve embroidery and a panel of embroidery on the back. The embroidery is their finest tradition. It enables them to identified as Dzao. When they go to the market, when they are on...
