#OneVoiceforCraft: Chapter 1: India - day 48 in India

It's day 48 of the #OneVoiceforCraft field study I am conducting in India. Last time I wrote on the blog was 26 days ago. Almost a month in between, the data collection process has developed in a positively unexpected way.

My work in India started with making a preliminary itinerary based on 3 connections developed through the Cultural Intellectual Property Rights Initiative Network ("the Initial Connectors"). All Initial Connectors are individuals intimately connected with the textile craft space, with different levels of expertise, perspective and relationship with craft. Geographically they are based in Ahmedabad, Bhuj and Goa. 

Starting from each of the 3 Initial Connectors I used a snowball sampling method interviewing artisans, craftspeople as well as relevant craft stakeholders recommended by the Initial Connectors (artisans, craftspeople, artists, craft stakeholders are individually defined for the purpose of this research).

From the pool of recommended contacts the selection of the interviewees was made based on 3 cumulative criteria: craft diversity (max. 3 representatives of the same craft), placement in pyramid of influence and mastership (I identified a pyramid of power and influence as well as the internal schemes based on which different craft communities function) and relationship with the craft (subordination - crafts person as workforce or co-existence - artisan as artist). 

By this time I have conducted 9 in-depth interviews with artisans (based on a set of 24 standardized Questions + 6 logistic Questions for prospective study) and had unstructured interviews and observation with 11 individuals with different roles and positions within the textile crafts sector including a lawyer, a textile tour guide, a museum founder, 3 cultural entrepreneurs (fashion business), a textile engineer, a textile educator, a cultural guide. 

I have returned to Ahmedabad after the snowball sampling method shaped my itinerary to Jaipur, Kerala and Goa and will head back to Kutch on day #50 of #OneVoiceforCraft for another 2 in-depth interviews with artisans and a conclusion discussion with my local guide and research partner from Bhuj. 

Namaste!

P.S. Wearing SwaraVoiceofWomen @swaravoiceofwomen, Indian culturally sustainable brand, member of @culturalintellectualproperty that works with traditional Dabu hand block printers of the Chhipa community of Rajasthan, integrating traditional craftsmanship in their supply chain.