The above books written by WARP authors can all be found at Schiffer Books Ltd. (schifferbooks.com)
by Deborah Chandler
Recently we put out a call for WARP authors to send in a list of their books to be included in an online library, or at least reference list, available on WARP’s webpage for the people who want to know more. So far only 15 authors have submitted information, but the range of subjects more than confirms what a good idea this is. Some of the books are bi-lingual, another plus.
In our membership survey people mentioned that they want to learn how to do some of the art forms done in the indigenous and other villages where WARP members work. At least seven of the books cover techniques, from natural dyeing to village-specific textile techniques.
WARP members include many anthropologists – degreed and simply with that mind-set – and books on culture and cloth and how they fit together abound, with at least ten titles in that category already.
Cultural Appropriation, Fair Trade, and other economic issues are the focus of four of the books, and I know there are many more that the authors have not told us about yet.
Many WARP members are makers themselves, and half a dozen of the books are about spinning, weaving, and other textile techniques for non-exotic (to the majority of our members) but always curious North Americans and Europeans.
All that, and it’s only a start. If you are an author member of WARP, even if you think I already know, please send your book list to me, Deborah Chandler, at weavingfutures2012@gmail.com. For each book I need author name, title, publisher, date, cost, where or how it can be purchased, and a short description of the book. WARP members want to know what each other are thinking, that’s what networking is, and sharing books is another way to do that. I look forward to hearing from you.
Here’s a sampling of the books on which we have received information so far:
Veiling in Africa by Elisha Renne, ed.
The tradition of the veil, which refers to various cloth coverings of the head, face, and body, has been little studied in Africa, where Islam has been present for more than a thousand years. These essays raise questions about what is distinctive about veiling in Africa, what religious histories or practices are reflected in particular uses of the veil, and how styles of veils have changed in response to contemporary events. Together, they explore the diversity of meanings and experiences with the veil, revealing it as both an object of Muslim piety and an expression of glamorous fashion. (Available from Indiana University Press website $28.00)
Cloth That Does Not Die: The Meaning of Cloth in Bunu Social Life by Elisha Renne, ed.
The Bunu Yoruba people of central Nigeria mark every critical juncture in an individual’s life, from birthing ceremonies to funeral celebrations, with handwoven cloth. The author explains how and why this is so and discusses why handwoven cloth is still valued although it is rarely woven in Bunu villages today. (Available on Amazon $50.11)
The Field Guide to Fleece: 100 Sheep Breeds and How to Use Their Fibers by Deborah Robson and Carol Ekarius
This is a pocket guide to one hundred sheep breeds and their fiber. It has animal pictures, fiber statistics, and photos of locks. ($14.95. Available through all normal book channels. https://www.storey.com/books/the-field-guide-to-fleece/)
Swept Under the Rug: A Hidden History of Navajo Weaving by Kathy M’Closkey, PhD
Utilizes copious information contained in the correspondence and business records of the Lorenzo Hubbell family, Ganado, AZ (~ 1860s-1960s). Lorenzo Hubbell Sr. is considered the czar of Navajo trade and the “father” of the Navajo rug. The book historicizes the economic contributions of thousands of weavers and woolgrowers, whose non-waged labor sustained Navajo lifeways in a culturally appropriate manner. University of New Mexico Press.
Creative Crafts of the World – 15 lesson plans for teaching folk arts to groups of children by Marilyn Romatka
Creative Crafts of the World is a practical guide for teaching folk art to groups of children, young adults, adults, even to yourself! www.taprootfolkarts.com
Maya Hair Sashes Backstrap Woven in Jacaltenango, Guatemala / Cintas Mayas tejidas con el telar de cintura en Jacaltenango, Guatemala by Carol Ventura
A bilingual book that features the Jakaltek backstrap loom, backstrap weaving, symbolism, and the beautiful hair sashes of the Jakaltek women from both anthropological and artistic perspectives. ($30 from https://www.carolventura.com/hairsashes.html#Book)
Deborah Chandler – President – 
Hedy Hollyfield – Vice President – 
Cheryl Musch – Treasurer – 
Sara Lamb – Co-Secretary – 
Cael Chappell – Co-Secretary – 
Elena Laswick – 
Sarah Saulson – 
Beth Davis – 
Maren Beck – 
It would be hard to put into words the joie de vivre y generosity of Susan. Everyone knows that 
Hailing from the opposite end of the US, Kate is a retired physician from northern California. Her childhood in Brazil and other connections have instilled a love of Meso-America, and she has been working for the past six years with artisans in Guatemala to reduce repetitive stress injuries. Her retirement from the board is going to allow her to spend even more time helping the health workers of 
After Peace Corps and beyond in Botswana, a year in England, and finally settling back in the USA, twenty-five years ago, through WARP connections, Mary Joan started working for 
Philis – 
Sara’s daughter Luna is four, which means that she has probably attended four Annual Meetings one way or another. We all love Luna, and also seeing what a good mom Sara is. Sara’s very full-time day job is working at Camphill Hudson in upstate NY, one of the many 
This resource and its companion books like Where Women Have No Doctor, A Book for Midwives, Where There Is No Dentist and many more are published in more than 80 languages and have proven to be lifesavers for people who may live a day’s journey or more away from medical help. They’ve also proved indispensable for people who may live in the shadow of a medical center, but lack the financial resources to receive care.
The books aim to help people solve immediate medical problems so they can then go on to solve longer-term issues that cause illness. For instance, not only is there information on treating giardia or amoebas, but there’s also a discussion of different ways to purify water and improve cleanliness so that stomach problems can be avoided in the future. And since much illness is caused by poverty and social inequality, the books don’t shy away from discussing the social causes of health and illness.
As technology has developed, so have Hesperian’s resources. All of our publications are available for free on the internet, and recently Hesperian has produced 3 women’s health apps that can be downloaded to phones or tablets and used offline. Safe Pregnancy and Birth app, Family Planning app, and Safe Abortion app are all available for free in English and Spanish, with the latter two available in French and several African languages as well.
Check out all Hesperian’s titles and the languages in which they are available on the website: 
¿Ha estado despertado en la noche por una niña quemando con fiebre, y se ha preguntado si debería ir al hospital o intenta dar comodidad hasta el amanecer? ¿O ha tenido un amigo llega a su puerta con un brazo fracturado? ¿O comido o bebido algo que le hizo enfermar y no mejoró? Para muchos de nosotros, aunque decidimos chequear para información por internet o llamar una enfermera de ayuda en vez de ir al hospital, tenemos opciones sobre qué hacer. Pero hay mucha gente en todo el mundo que tiene menos opciones. Un recurso que se usa es el libro Donde No Hay Doctor, un manual de salud para personas que viven lejos de ayuda publicado para la primera vez en 1973 y actualizado e impreso casi anualmente desde entonces.
La meta de los libros es resolver problemas médicos inmediatos que les permita resolver problemas más grandes, los que causan las enfermedades. Por ejemplo, no solamente hay información sobre giardia intestinal o amebas, también hay información sobre opciones para purificar el agua y mejorar la limpieza, entonces problemas del estómago pueden ser evitados en el futuro. Y porque muchas enfermedades resultan de la pobreza e inequidades sociales, los libros no son tímidos sobre discutir las causas sociales de salud y enfermedades.
Pero para mucha gente nada es mejor que un libro impreso, y Hesperian sigue actualizando y manteniendo disponibles todos sus libros. Cuando va a viajar, es fácil empacar su copia en su maleta para su uso personal y dejarlo con sus anfitriones cuando regresa a casa. Las traducciones españolas se usan en las universidades médicas en los Estados Unidos como guía para explicaciones de asuntos de salud en idioma sencillo para médicos y enfermeros quienes trabajan en español como segundo idioma – entonces usted puede usarlos para mejorar sus habilidades de idioma también.
Over the past few years the number of young people who have studied international development work at the university level and are now embarking on careers in the field has grown tremendously. It is very exciting, as it brings a whole new energy and mind-set to the work. No longer dedicated to one project for life, these young activists are dedicated to the concepts of fair trade, justice, supporting local efforts, and so much more, and finding myriad ways to go about it. Many WARP members are involved in such endeavors, and for those who are interested in working in the field and gaining valuable experience as well as providing real help, the San Carlos Foundation might be able to help them reach that goal. At the same time, for those who are passionate about the idea and the need but cannot go into the field themselves, supporting this foundation is an option. Well worth knowing about, their methods and goals are totally in alignment with WARP’s mission and goals.
