#laha

[just-me-youll-see]

How nice is my hotel view for work 😁👷🏼‍♀️ . . . #laha #railwayworker #lakeviews #belmont (at Squids Ink Waterfront) https://www.instagram.com/p/CksYkNqywdw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[bumblebeeappletree]

Naturally dyeing yarn with natural ingredients, specifically Lac (or Laha in Khasi- thelocal language), is well-known in Meghalaya, India. Our women working with Muezart said, "Natural dyeing is one of our ways for survival, and it has been passed down for generations. Lac is one of the precious ingredients that we have been using for a very long time."

What is Lac?

Lac is a very tiny insect (Laccifer lacca) that is parasitic on individual trees found in our state of Meghalaya, India. This insect's secretion is traditionally used as a coloring agent for products like food, leather, Fabric, and even medicines. But in Meghalaya, the people cultivated Lac and cooked it into a dye bath with plant mordants to dye yarns for weaving different products.

Here's our process of dyeing with Lac or Laha (3 Kgs yarn batch):

For 3kgs of yarn, we need 30 liters of water and 3 kgs of Stick Lac into small pieces or chunks because, at the time of boiling, the sticky resin substance melts and sticks to silk fiber, thus damaging the material.

Step 1: To extract the dye, stick Lac is crushed into pieces but not into a powder form because, at the time of boiling, the sticky resin substance melts and sticks to silk fiber, thus damaging the material.

Step 2: Add warm water to the crushed pieces and use a muslin cloth to drain or filter the dye bath.

Step 3: Boil the Sohkhu leaves (Botanical name: Baccuarea Ramiflora, a local plant that acts as a mordant) and the Lac solution for 1 hour (You can use Alum as an alternative of Sohkhu leaves)

Step 4: Use a sieve to separate the Sohkhu leaves from the dye bath. This step is not needed if you are using Alum.

IMPORTANT: Remember to check the Ph level of the dye bath. Lac is water sensitive dye like cochineal, so take care to test your water and decide if you need distilled water.

Step 5: Let the dye bath cool down to 50° C/ 122° F before immersing the yarn.

FYI: Letting the dye bath cool down before placing the yarn in the bath helps prevent temperature shock that may damage the yarn. This will help maintain the strength, luster, and texture of the yarn.

Step 6: With a Ph of 7, place the yarn in the dye bath, reheat, and simmer for about an hour.

Step 7: Remove from flame and let it soak overnight.

Step 8: Rinse the yarn with cold water until the water runs clear, then remember to dry in the shade.

Your yarn is ready to be turned into something beautiful. Remember, the longer you soak the yarn in the dye bath, the richer the color will be.

Muezart is practicing natural dyeing without harming the environment and partnering with the villages to continue and preserve the traditional art of dyeing with natural dyes.

[1froggets]

Oooooh

he stealin :U!

[laha-minha]

On niqab and hijab; the struggles in between.

One of my close friends was on the phone with me yesterday speaking about something that has been making her anxious for a while. She is struggling with her niqab because of how certain people are treating her because of it. Unfortunately, prostitutes in Sudan sometimes hide behind it for whatever reasons they have (to hide their identity while on the streets) and due to this, some people assume that every niqabi could be one. It is sad, and absolutely disgusting. She was abused by her driving instructor who overstepped his boundaries and physically abused her thinking that she could be one. Cars would stop when she is waiting to cross the road to "pick her up". These instances have been experienced by me as well and I just brush it off and if I have the time, I curse him to hell (not really, I just ignore them and pretend I didn't see them sign for me to "come over")

But everyone is different in dealing with these struggles and we need to give other Muslims the space where they can better themselves without judging them nor being too harsh. I reminded her of its virtues and told her that although ignoring these people is better and will make her stronger, she can still take it off. A trial of a month or so, so that she can experience what may be different (if any). Sick people are sick regardless of what you wear but with the connection I made earlier, I tell you, the struggle is real.

The whole "all or none" mentality when it comes to worshipping Allaah جل جلاله is destructive. One can fall short on some things, including observing the niqab. As a part-time niqabi, I get criticized a lot. No one ever thinks or says "it is good that you're wearing it on some days so you will get the reward for that!". Nah. Everyone thinks it is mocking the religion, lack of full commitment, weak iman etc. Stop. Stop belittling those who try. Stop making Islam look difficult because it isn't. Islam is the religion of mercy, of repentance after sins, of starting over and over and over again until death takes our souls or the sun rises from the west.

This brings me to the topic of hijab and specifically sisters who observe the hijab during Ramadhan only. Let. Them. Be. Let them get close to Allah سبحانه و تعالى with what they can. Do NOT demotivate them or call them hypocrites. They are trying too. They are rewarded if Allaah عز و جل accepts that from them.

To keep it short: give Muslims the space where they can learn how to reach Allah عز و جل without making it more difficult than it is. Do not side with the shaytan against your sisters/brothers. Have some mercy and encourage each other to do better and better and never make them feel as if they got no chance because honestly, who told you that Allaah accepted any of your deeds?

[hendradive]

Good say all... This #seaslug #nudibranch was taken from my dive at #laha #ambonbay Special thanks to pak @ambonbluerose_dc.bambang for my dive service and hospitality With : @scubadiverid #wonderfulindonesia #photodivetrip #indonesiadivingtrip #nikon #wonderfulunderwaterindonesia #uwmacro #scubadivingmag #wildlife #underwaterphoto #naturephotography #bestoftheday #paditv #macro #scubadiver https://www.instagram.com/p/BuK9IBglWj5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=10dh0zhfyn0e2

[glorious-tapa]

This day in History

The worlds first Ironclad the Overseer was launched from the port of Gaha.

[mvsoleil]

trying out palettes

[1froggets]

Quiet Evening Pg. 6

Quiet evening Pg. 7