Donga Walung Sherpa of Paktanglung Rural Municipality-7, Olangchungola, now mostly plays with her fingers in 'Thumbi'. The local people here call the looms that weave carpets as 'Thumbi'. Not only donga, most of the women here are busy in weaving carpets.

Due to corona infection, when the export of carpets to the neighboring country China was stopped, the women here were not able to use their hands in 'thumbi' for a few years. After the opening of the Tiptala Bhanjiang border crossing to China's Tibet, the demand for carpets in the old condition has increased, and the rhythm of their 'thumbi' has returned.

Chungdak Sherpa Walung, a local, is also giving her time apart from lunch to weaving carpets. "In the morning, I help my mother with housework, other times I am busy with thumbi," she said. Men take care of chaunri, yak. Women also help them sometimes. Women weave carpets. Men help weave the carpet, cut the yarn and take it to the market. At the time of corona infection, both of their jobs were ruined here. After the sale did not happen, the women did less weaving. 

Some tried to sell in the Nepali market, but the business did not flourish. As they could not leave, the men started raising livestock. Women spent more time helping men than men. Now women's businesses are open, but men's businesses are not. They have not been able to sell quadrupeds in Tibet. But Donga says that since the carpet trade has opened, the number of people living in the loom has increased. China has not allowed the export of quadrupeds after Corona.

 Thabi Sherpa, who is also a ward member of Paktanglung-7, says that there is a good trade of carpets in China's Ghumti and Riu market. According to him, carpets are the fastest and best-selling items from Nepal. He said that a pair of carpets can easily be sold for 2,000 yuan. A

sells for 1,000 to 1,200 yuan. Now the rate of one yuan is more than 18 rupees. But the calculation is done with 18 rupees. A carpet is sold at a price equivalent to 18,000 Nepalese rupees. The Chinese often look for pairs of rugs, not just one. Nepali women also weave carpets of different colors in pairs. In the local language they call the male and the female carpet.

 Tathi says that carpets here are chosen by the Chinese because they are cheap, long-lasting and attractive to decorate their homes. Nepali carpets sold in Riu and Ghumti reach towns like Sigatse. "But they don't let Nepalis take them, Tibetan traders take them to different cities and sell them," he said.

Until 8/9 years ago, it used to take 3 days to reach Riu market in Tibet from Gola. After opening the road from Tibet side to Olangchungola, Riu market can be reached within 4/5 hours. Although it is close to China, the residents have to travel one day by foot and one day by car to reach the district headquarters.

Since the export to China did not start until the road was connected with Tibet, traders used to bring the carpets from Taplejung headquarters to Fungling and deliver them to Buddhist places in Kathmandu. When selling in the Nepalese market, we had to wait for years to get the money because we had to borrow money.

"Selling in Nepal is still the same," said Tenzing from Gola, "Selling in China is done in cash." If it is not in cash, the goods will be settled immediately. Now that the road has been reached, the locals have got the facility of being able to take the vehicle from Gola.

There is no other farming in Olangchungola. In the garden next to the house, only common crops such as potatoes and greens are grown. As it is close to the school, there is no need to go to deliver the children. Apart from meals, the women here spend their time in thumbi. Before sitting on the thumbi, they fill the thermos with tea and keep it aside. While drinking the same tea, they keep running their fingers on their thumbs. Even if the guests come, they continue to gossip and drink tea. 

"It takes 7/8 days to finish a large size carpet," said Donga. They bring raw materials such as thread and dye from Kathmandu. "Earlier we used to bring yarn from China, now it is cheaper in Kathmandu," said Chungdak.