Why is the Kunbi Saree called the OG saree of Goa?

If you think that Goanese dresses are all about a floral shirt with funky half jeans or neon bikinis, then you are totally wrong. The OG style statement of Goa lies in their cultural kunbi saree.\

Hitting the sundowners in Anjuna Beach or hopping cafes in Assagao is now backdated. If you truly want to explore Goa, then go to some interior places to explore the real heritage and culture of goanese tribals.

Among the indigenous Goanese, these 9-yard gamcha-squared sarees were the only weaving heritage that still exists as the epitome of the thread craft of our sea-state.

The speciality of this saree lies in its effortless and minimalistic appearance, which still holds the main-character energy along with goan vibe 

The History of the Kunbi Saree

The history is associated with the Portuguese colony. Long before, in 1510  AD, when the portuguese hits on the shore of Goa, at that time our indigenous tribal community, Kunbi and Gawda, became the only cultural representative to them at that place.

The word ‘Kunbi’ comes from two different word Kun and Bee. In goanese language, kun means people, and bee means seed. Altogether, the word means those people who are germinated from the seeds.

As an agricultural community, they wanted to dress themselves in a similar kind of uniform-like attire. So that people can recognise them as the Goan dweller. 

They used to weave these 100% pure cotton sarees for themselves, which are sturdy yet breathable, and designed to prevent themselves from brutal coastal humidity. 

Some specialities of the Kunbi saree

The speciality of these sarees is that the designs are simply the plain geometric patterned aesthetics. No other fancy designs. Though for keeping it alive in this competitive market, now some peacock and paisley motifs have been introduced. 

But the authentic ones have only the square designs throughout the body of the saree.

Tambo colours are used to make it. 

If you don’t know what a tambo colour is, then let me explain you. It is the deep earthy red colour, which is the absolute hallmark of Kunbi sarees.

It is woven in the old school Goan pattern. And the red dye used to colour the saree is produced by extracting the iroc-rich goan soil, mixing it with the tree bark and the vinegar.

Traditional Japanese fruit, which grows in Goan soil, is also used to dye this saree. 

The square designs also vary from community to community. The Christian Gawda ladies wear big square sarees, whereas the smaller square sarees are worn by the other tribes.

This saree is worn with a dethi drape, in goanese the dethi means the knot. The saree is wrapped around the waist tightly with a special knot instead of the pleated pallu, which is why the drape is called the dethi drape.

Until the 1940s, this saree was worn by the ladies without any blouse; later on, when the Portuguese colonial administration passed a strict public law, that wearing blouse would be mandatory then the puffed sleeves blouse was introduced. 

As a result of 450 years of Portuguese rule, this indigenous craft got a massive hit. To boost the foreign fabric, this saree weaving was completely shut down at one point in time.

In the late 20th century, they revived as some old tribal women still holding this tradition secretly in their homes.

FAQs

1. Is the Kunbi saree online available?

Yes, they are. If you search on Google with the phrase Kunbi Saree of Goa or Kunbi Saree in Panjim, you will get to see a lot of Kunbi sarees online.

2. Kunbi saree Goa price?

The Goan Kunbi saree’s price starts from 5k and goes up to 25-30k.

3. Does the Kunbi saree drape have any special name?

Yes, the Kunbi saree drape is called Dethi by local Goanese.

4. How is kunbi saree look?

The Kunbi saree look is eccentric if you style it with modern oxidised jewellery and bright make-up.