Woman's belt (kera)

The kera is a belt for securing a Bhutanese woman's traditional dress (kira). This example comes from Eastern Bhutan. It is worn folded lengthwise in thirds, wrapped tightly around the waist, and secured by tucking in the fringes. Only one of its ends is fringed.

The design consists of rows of geometric patterns; the rows near the fringed end-the part that is visible when the garment is worn- are more intricate than the rest. It is customary to weave two such belts in one long strip, the point of separation being the fringeless end.

The type of belt of which this is an example is no longer in fashion. Today, Bhutanese women prefer narrower belts.