Mekhela
A sewn tube skirt worn by women in Assam, wrapped at the waist and tucked in, part of the mekhela chador.
Also: mekhla, mekhela sador
The mekhela is a long cylinder of cloth, open at both ends, which an Assamese woman steps into and pleats at the waist. It is held in place at the waist with a knot or a tuck. Over it goes a second cloth, the chador, and a blouse is worn on top. Mekhelas are woven in cotton, muga, pat and eri silk, often with a wide border. Together the two pieces form the mekhela chador, a distinct Assamese form of the saree family. It is worn daily by some and on every festival and wedding by most.