Revival of the Lost Arts: Pakistan’s Ancient Handicrafts Fighting Extinction
How Forgotten Handicrafts of Pakistan Are Being Reborn
Handicrafts of Pakistan—once pillars of culture and ancient skills—now fight extinction. However, many grassroots movements are now underway, that promise to breathe new life into these endangered arts from Kalash valleys to Thar’s deserts.
The Vanishing Crafts: Echoes of Pakistani Handicrafts
- Kalash Beadwork: The Kalash people of northern Pakistan once adorned their ceremonial attire with intricate beadwork symbolizing nature and spirituality. Today, only 15 elder women retain this skill.
- Bannu’s Copper Etching: This Mughal-era craft, involving delicate floral patterns etched onto copperware, nearly vanished due to less-costly Chinese imports. Just two families in Bannu still practice it.
Heroes of Heritage Preservation: Reviving Hala Handicrafts and More
Organizations like Lok Virsa and UNESCO are partnering with artisans to breathe new life into endangered crafts. In Cholistan, their efforts have revived the art of camel leather bag-making—a handicraft for home decoration now showcased in urban pop-up markets across Lahore and Karachi.
Meanwhile, in Sindh, Hala handicrafts like Ajrak block printing have staged a remarkable comeback: once practiced by just 10 artisans in the 1990s, this ancient craft now sustains over 500 families in Bhit Shah and Hala, blending tradition with modern demand.
Why Revival Matters: Beyond Art to Identity
Saving Pakistani handicrafts like Hala’s Ajrak or Kalash beadwork reclaims identity in a homogenized world. Similarly, the resurgence of Tharparkar’s mud embroidery (geometric patterns stitched with locally sourced thread) has not only preserved a unique art but also lifted 200+ families out of poverty through exports to Europe.
Such a fantastically heartwarming account of how the art and crafts industry is being revived one step at a time.
Kudos to the Kraftsy for being a part of this vital journey.
Preserving the local handicrafts industry is critical for the survival of local economy and the families associated with it.
This blog was really informative!