On the Origins of Tie-Dye: An Exploration of South Asian Colors & Sustainability

Words by Angel Bista

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On the Origins of Tie-Dye: An Exploration of South Asian Colors & Sustainability by Angel Bista

Tie-dye, or resist dyeing as it is often known in crafting circles, has been an important part of textile traditions across the world.  Some famous examples include Japanese shibori, Indonesian ikat, Nigerian adire and Indian bandhani. All of these traditions pre-date Western tie-dye methods by hundreds, if not thousands of years. In South Asia, the resist dyeing method known as bandhani can be traced back as early as 4000 B.C, to the Indus Valley Civilization. Our age-old assumptions of tie-dye as a Western hippie fad or a D.I.Y invention are actually, in fact, quite new. Societies around the world have used tie-dye techniques to create exquisite fabrics that are synonymous with celebration, craftsmanship, and culture.