The Gamosa economy: Assam’s towel of many uses goes global

The gamosa, the woven cotton cloth that Assam uses for honouring guests, drying hands and everything in between, has received a GI tag — and the export orders have begun.

The cloth’s four motifs — the tulapati, the japi, the lion, the sun — are being woven into collections for the diaspora market.

Weavers hope the tag protects the craft from machine copies: ‘The gamosa is not a product. It is a greeting you can wear.’