Dyeing with Natural Colorants

A Research Method and an Ever-Changing Traditional Skill

Authors

• Anete Karlsone Institute of Latvian History of the University of Latvia http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7994-9646

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23991/ef.v51i1.140867

Keywords:

Natural dyeing, crafting knowledge, traditional craftmanship, experimental ethnography, Latvia

Abstract

This paper explores the use of dyeing with natural dyes in research, as well as a tool for retaining normality of life in crisis situations. Nowadays craftsmanship skills, and especially traditional crafts can double as a research object and a research tool. Dyeing fabrics with natural dyes is a traditional crafts skill which entails a high potential for creativity, and which is still practised in Latvia today. In the past, this skill often became a creative way for retaining the quality of daily life during wars and other crisis situations. Nowadays natural dyeing is not only a means of creative self-expression through traditional crafts, but the process also helps to study the value of colours, through understanding the complexity or simplicity of obtaining a particular colour, as well as the resulting colour palette, etc. The author of this paper has used her dyeing skills in researching various ethnographic sources from the 18th – 20th centuries. Dyeing experiments help to adequately assess descriptions of fabric colours in written sources from various historical periods, and to interpret historical guides about ancient dyeing techniques and methods.