Woven textiles are used as bedding as well as clothing.
Photo by Ágnes Fülemile, Balassi Institute/Hungarian Cultural Center
Weaving textiles has long played an important role in the economy of self-sufficient rural families. Homespun fibers of hemp, flax, cotton, and wool are crafted into various utilitarian and ornamental textiles, shaped and patterned differently for significant life events. For instance, red textiles are placed inside children’s cribs to ward off the evil eye; flag-like textiles are hung on church towers to announce a child’s death; and richly decorated homespun shrouds are spread over those who die young.
