The dyeing process followed by the indigo dyers of Amarapura, Shan State, Myanmar

Click here for Photo gallery of the indigo dyers of Amarapura

This dyeing process was explained to me, through my guide - in September 1998 - by the wife of the eldest son of a family of indigo dyers in Amarapura, (11Km south of Mandalay) Shan State, Myanmar.  The family had been dyers for several generations.  The indigo dye is a chemical dye and purchased in China.  

The first stage in the dyeing process is to soak the natural cream-coloured cotton thread in a water and soap solution after which it is rung out.  The hanks of cotton thread are then carefully immersed in the boiling indigo dye bath.  This dye bath is boiled over a wood fire - and a bi-product of the burning is charcoal which is washed and laid out in the sun to dry after use.  

The dye bath is never fully emptied but topped up with new chemicals and water.  The current metal dye bath being used by this family  was apparently 3 years old and the previous one had lasted for 38 years.  Unlike natural indigo the cotton thread only has to be dyed once.  It is left to soak in the boiling dye bath and then it is rung out before it is rinsed. The cotton thread is rinsed until the water runs clear.  It is carefully wrung out and then the thread is dried in the sun.  

The next stage in the process is to dip the dyed thread in a solution of water, sago flour and oil.  This process is to stiffen the threads which would otherwise be too soft and tangled.  The thread is wrung out again and force put on the threads to separate and untwist them before the hanks are hung out to dry.  

Click here for Photo gallery of the indigo dyers of Amarapura