hemp clothes natural organic nettle hemp bamboo cotton from Wildweaves

Backpacks made from wild hemp growing in the hills of Nepal for school, countryside or just out and about.

Hemp has been used for generations in the mountains of Nepal because of its strength and durability. Farming families use it for ropes, clothes and bags. Hemp is indigenous to Nepal and grows wild in the hills. It flourishes on waste and marginal land, as well as binding the soil and holding upland slopes together. The plant regenerates quickly after it has been harvested.

The wild hemp is gathered and processed by hand in the traditional way by farming families using water retting (separation of the fibres from the woody core). This is achieved by soaking in a pit of water until the fibres start to separate and they are then picked apart. This is hand-spun into yarn and woven into lengths of cloth which are then walked to the nearest road - maybe three hours away - before coming to Kathmandu by bus. The farming families who produce this beautiful Himalayan textile receive a cash income from this business. This Wild Hemp is naturally organic and made entirely by hand. The products are then designed and crafted into finished products by Heaven Hemp.