Nang Noan Harn

After the military coup on February 1, 2021, Businesses are no longer functioning properly in Burma. The COVID-19 pandemic is spreading, and thousands of people from various parts of the country are displaced internally due to ongoing armed conflicts.

In this situation, there are many challenges for people in Shan State and throughout Burma to make a decent living.

Nang Noan Harn, owner of the 6-Mile Textile business in Taunggyi Township, is one of the women confronted with these challenges.

The 6-Mile Textile is a Shan weaving factory established in October 2014 and operated by Nang Noan Harn. She said, “The factory uses traditional weaving looms to weave Shan fabric for both men’s and women’s wares. It also accepts orders from some groups to weave customized fabric for groups’ members to wear traditional clothes to join ceremonies and events.”

The main customers of these fabrics are the Shan, so most are sold in Shan State and some in other parts of Burma. For selling them throughout Burma and export, Nang Noan Harn is looking for opportunities. As a result of the political situation and the COVID-19 outbreak, her business did not improve.

Aiming to expand her business, she said, “If we can continue to make ready-to-wear and home appliances, my business will grow. Our goal is to sell not only in Burma but also in other countries. In this situation, it is impossible to go any further.”

Nowadays, very few fabric industries use traditional weaving looms. To maintain the traditional weaving industry and create jobs for young women, Nang Noan Harn hired young women from her hometown of Mong Kung Township. “Traditional looms are disappearing,” she said, “no one uses them anymore. At the same time, we want to preserve the traditional weaving industry. Most of all, we want to create jobs for the young women in our hometown. That was the reason we employed women from Mong Kung who needed jobs. You know, Mong Kung is one such conflict zone.”