Chitral, Pakistan - 22 February 2009
The Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) coordinated the participation of the goat-hair carpet "daree" and woolen carpet "qaleen" weavers in the Lok Mela Islamabad 2009 handicraft exhibition held February 14-22. The traditional craftsmen from Chitral attracted many visitors, who not only photographed the traditional weaving and learned about the traditional weaving practices of the Hindu Kush region. It is worth noting that the traditional handicrafts of both the Kalash and Khow communities, just like the traditional music and folk dances, are under enormous pressure of extinction given the fact that no proper arrangements have been undertaken to preserve the practice or market the products. A proper policy could provide economic incentives to the craftsmen and craftswomen, traditionally considered the 'weavers of human soul' owing to the delicacy and beauty of the patterns.
The Chitral Association for Mountain Area Tourism (CAMAT) coordinated the participation of the goat-hair carpet "daree" and woolen carpet "qaleen" weavers in the Lok Mela Islamabad 2009 handicraft exhibition held February 14-22. The traditional craftsmen from Chitral attracted many visitors, who not only photographed the traditional weaving and learned about the traditional weaving practices of the Hindu Kush region. It is worth noting that the traditional handicrafts of both the Kalash and Khow communities, just like the traditional music and folk dances, are under enormous pressure of extinction given the fact that no proper arrangements have been undertaken to preserve the practice or market the products. A proper policy could provide economic incentives to the craftsmen and craftswomen, traditionally considered the 'weavers of human soul' owing to the delicacy and beauty of the patterns.