The Dhabhla weave of Kutch, Gujarat, is recognized as a lesser-known woolen textile tradition, deeply rooted in spiritual, symbolic, and cultural significance. Traditionally created by the Vankar weaving communities and used by the Rabari pastoralists, these textiles are valued not just for their utility but for the layered meanings woven into their motifs, colors, and ritual applications. This study investigates the semiotic dimensions of the Dhabhla weave through ethnographic fieldwork and visual-textile analysis. It focuses on how these embedded symbols are understood by both weavers and users, how their meanings have transformed over time, and what these shifts suggest for the preservation of intangible cultural heritage. With evolving markets and the rise of contemporary design collaborations, the research also considers the effects of cultural translation, design intervention, and the potential dilution of symbolic content
Arooshi et al. (Fri,) studied this question.