TIL these fancy scarves that you see sold everywhere are actually part of a rich tradition. The guilds pass these simple strips of fabric from teacher to student across generations. Although the ones you see in the streets are often covered with generic patterns or symbols of specific patrons the cloths are usually detailed with prayers and symbols that are added to by each generation of skilled person.
They are called “Elees Tei”. “Elees” is the word for the fabric strip, the word you see on market signs. “Tei” means clan or tribe.


















