The blue threads that fill the loom are all carefully placed on the loom before any weaving takes place. These threads are called the warp threads. The weaver is sending the weft (also called woof) threads back and forth between the warp threads. This process is called weaving. The weft colors used so far are blue, white, red, gold,black and green.     Can you see the green thread wrapped around the wooden shuttle the weaver is pushing through the warp threads?

 

In this picture you can see the loom's supports. Look again at the picture above and think about how the loom is being held up. There are many kinds of looms in the world. They all hold the warp threads for you so you can weave the weft threads back and forth. Weaving is traditionally a man's occupation in Ghana.

Here is another picture of the loom done by an artist, ********, for the Smithsonian Institution.   The weight of the weaver keeps the loom steady. It can be moved around, I should think, to find shade or shelter if needed. The weaver's toes pull down on heddles. Heddles are carefully tied bits of sting that pull down on selected warp threads. This is hard to explain but easy to show you in real life. Ask me to show you a real loom!

This page is part of the Manchester Public School's Elementary School Art Site