Elder Founders
Many of the earliest members of the women's cooperative were elders. They are highly respected by the younger generation, who have only recently begun to grasp the value of the kawandi as a commercial asset and as a sign of their cultural heritage. Because they are unable to work in the fields, quilt-making has become a new occupation whereby elderly quilters can continue to contribute to the household.
An experienced quilter, Mary Thalu Siddi sits at her home in Mainally and shows us her quilt collection. Quilts are usually stored in a bundle in the women's homes and wrapped around with a cloth to protect them from insects and moisture. This is how women transport quilts for the monthly meetings, which can become cumbersome for those travelling by bus from other villages.