One particular garment is the waist cotton cloth, which is a crucial element women wear in Karbis. It is a waistcloth made from coarse cotton, hand woven marvelously. The body of the cloth features an awesome display of alternate black and red stripes, which are deemed to be very characteristic color formations in Karbi textile aesthetics. Between these strips, woven white-thread designs appear on four rows immensely adding a fine decorative element highlighting the artistry and cultural symbolism in Karbi weaving practices. It typically reflects natural elements or tribal folklore, which generations of knowledge have passed down.
Here, indeed, it will have plaited cotton chords at each of the four corners--probably to tie together around the waist or just add different ornamental flair. This waistcloth is mainly for the traditional dress of Karbi women. Be it daily or festival, it carries a deep relationship with nature, tradition by hand, and community. This garment is functional as well as having a great cultural context in that it defines the identity of the Karbi woman and speaks for the overall philosophy of handcrafted, sustainable living.