Sachin Jose

10/10

Weavers of Chendamangalam

Roles

Documentation, Creating research tools, Recruiting participants, creating questionnaires, conducting user interviews, Synthesis, and Presentation.

About

Research case study of impact of the flood on Handloom Weavers Community at Chendamangalam

Duration

1 Week

As Part of CIID Summer school on People-centered research we had an opportunity to understand the livelihood of people at chennamangalam handloom weavers who got affected during the Kerala flood 15 -19 Aug. My team and I set out to Chendamanglam to understand how the livelihood of handloom weavers has been affected by the flood. Collect insights and find opportunity areas is that we can prepare them for future disasters.
Project
Weavers of Chendamangalam
Year
2018
Scope
Documentation, Creating research tools, Recruiting participants, creating questionnaires, conducting user interviews, Synthesis, and Presentation.
Location
Ernakulam, Kerala, India.

About Chendamangalam

Chendamangalam is a small town and a panchayat in Paravur Taluk, Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala. Chendamanglam ‘Kaithari’ has a domestic market as well as an international reputation. Production of Chendamangalam Kaithari is concentrated in Ernakulam district. Moreover, handloom is the major traditional industry in the Ernakulam district.

The weavers of Chendamangalam had enjoyed the royal patronage of the feudal family of Paliam, who was then serving as chief ministers to the Cochin rulers. Chendamangalam textiles are woven on frame looms. Kerala floods washed away the livelihood of Chendamangalam female handloom weavers. Through our research, we focused on understanding how floods affected weavers’ daily and work life.

 

Remains of the flood, Handloom Society chendamangalam | 2018
Remains of the flood, Handloom Storage House | 2018

In-Depth Interviews

Jaanu, 68 Years

Sweeper

“I am working as a sweeper at the handloom society. I am getting Rs. 350 ($5) for a day. I lost my house during the flood. I was all alone when the flood happened.”

 

Valsala, 66 Years

Weaver

“I started working as a weaver at the age of 13. Now I am 66, this is the only skill I know the last 53 years.”

INSIGHT 1

Socio-economically disadvantaged communities such as weavers, affected by floods are occupied with daily needs rather than solving problems for the future.

INSIGHT 2

Senior citizens living alone, struggle with financial recovery after floods, since they have a single source of income and limited personal savings.

 

Journey Mapping

Whiteboard

OPPORTUNITY AREA 1

How might we help socio-economically disadvantaged communities to plan their future so that they are able to look beyond simply managing their daily needs?

OPPORTUNITY AREA 2

How might we enable senior citizens to diversify their income sources in order to be more resilient through a crisis?