HOW TO FOLD A SARI (AND UNFOLD A MEMORY): A NEPALI INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE
The sari, or saree , is more than six yards of fabric; it is a tapestry of moments. When we fold it, we are not merely creasing silk or cotton; we are carefully putting away the stories woven into its threads. This act of folding, a practical skill passed down through generations of Nepali women, becomes a meditation on identity, family, and the spaces we inhabit. Step 1: Laying the Groundwork (The Hem and the Mother's Lap) Instruction: Lay the entire length of the sari flat on a clean surface, such as a large bed or the floor of a cleared room. Hold the fabric at both ends of the bottom border ( kinar ) and smooth out any deep wrinkles. The Memory: As your hands follow the edge of the hem, remember the countless times your aama (mother) or hajuraama (grandmother) would sit on the floor, doing this very task. This is the Foundation of Belonging . The hem is what grounds the fabric, just as their stories and steady presence grounded you. The gentle friction of the fabri...