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Hand-Made Shawl Industry of Islampur, Pakistan

This is Islampur, a beautiful village located in the scenic Swat valley in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The tangled green hills which point towards the grey and blue heavens are home to this village which has been practicing textile art for generations! Here, not only exquisite handmade accessories that warm the body but also a local tradition and people’s way to make a living. Every thread spun has something to do with someone’s life; every hue Estonia possessed is somewhat the symbol of some locality. The village has very cold winters, at times the temperatures can severely drop, these shawls not only beautify the people of Islampur but provides them with warmth as well during these extreme cold winters. Let us strip down the details of its past, the art of making these shawls and the legacy of Islampur shawls and how these shawls are not just symbols of the cultural heritage but also one of the potential sources of livelihood for the Islampur’s population. Islampur is twelve kilometers away from Mingora city, it is located in Swat district and is enclosed by breathtaking greenery of hills. The village alone has a population of 18000 but the weaving hub alone offers work to thousands of residents from other areas; more than 20000. An adage in this locality is, ‘No one is jobless in Islampur,’ which bears testimony to the fact that this industry is a major land mark in the region.

The Complex Process of Weaving Shawl

The village, where 70 percent of inhabitants depend on weaving for livelihood, it is one of very few such places where traditional craft younger generations do not run away in search for work and a better life elsewhere. The people can work and be as whatever they want to be, men or women. It starts by choosing only the best quality wool for processing, which is sourced locally as it forms part of the community’s pastoralism. After that the wool is first washed, then carded, that is the process of drawing fibers parallel to one another in preparation for spinning, and then spun into yarn. The yarn is again colored by natural resources from available plants and minerals found in Islampur which gives a rich color scheme for the range. Evidently, the latter dyes which are natural, reflect and embody the spirit of the local nature, the local wildlife and the like. Khan Zaman, Shawl craftsman while having a word added “I am crafting shawls since past 35 years and have crafted many shawls and send them to China Australia but till date and everyone loves the beauty and neatness in my work.”

Once dyed, the yarn is woven on handlooms – a process, which is a delicate gyration between man and machine and has aged well. The process of weaving of the fabric on the looms is accompanied by a sound as patterns unfold, and each of them that depicted a tale or legend or even a part of Islampur. All the sequences range from the plain stripe to a geometrical disposition and flowers and all these take a long, rigorous, and intensive production process. Finally, after the weaving, each of the shawls is quality checked. Seams are turned and, where necessary, hems are stitched; these are the places where, for example, embroidery or beads may have been sewn on. This attention paid to the product guarantees that not only they are stunning but they will also last and remain beautiful. When these shawls go through these hands, plain wool becomes art that tells the story of Islampur to the world. What this craftsmanship does is not only maintain an economy but interlaces history with the present and the existence of this spirited community’s future. Muhammad Roshan of Islampur said, “We produce for both male and female customers and manufacture several types of shawls big and small. In our factory, we use the service of more than one hundred proficient female workers that are highly talented in making women’s shawls with handmade designs and embroidery and we give them daily wage that is around 800-1000 Rs. Every individual shawl takes a several days to make, hence testifying the care and detailed work done on every product.”

The Village Economy Relies on Shawl Making

At the same time, in Islampur, it is not only art – it is one of the main economic drivers. It can feed entire families, and where every shawl made by hand helps the artisan and the village economy out. Islampur is one of the places in Pakistan, where shawl making has been in generations and skills from master artisans are taught young generations. First, these commodities were consumed mostly within the local market, but there has been a proportional increase in export due to favorable trade networks and marks the advancement of global branding. This conversion of such home based skills into a full-fledged industry has made Islampur an economic city in the region. Besides providing direct employment opportunity in weaving, the Industry also creates a number of subsidiary vocations such as sorting of wool, dying, designing of patterns, finishing of weaves, marketing etc. This extensive employment chain underscores a common local saying: “There are no unemployed people in Islampur.

Local distribution of Islampur shawls and their sales are made in several specific areas inside Pakistan that have the interest and understanding of the worth of the specific standard of handmade cloth materials. Ready-made markets have diversified and include the main cities like Islamabad, Lahore, and even Karachi. Some of these cities have more modern establishments such as specialty stores that sell luxurious and expensive clothing items alongside conventional outlets such as bazaar selling Islampur shawls as luxury hand-made embroidery products. Besides, cultural and craft fairs national wide act as other important platforms where these shawls can be displayed, attract approbation of both Pakistani population and tourists who want to have some products connected with the Pakistani culture. Irfan, a shawl merchant, added when asked when and how he spreads shawls, “I spread shawls domestically and internationally. On the other hand, the test operation tends to differ quite much within Pakistan’s setting in regards to our exportation. In fact, all the shawls that we import or sell in the domestic market are made in Islampur, Swat.”

Two cities in this regard are Mingora and Peshawar which are comparatively nearer to Islampur and these both cities also have very active markets where this type of shawls are the most famous. These markets are however very important to the artisans because they explore direct markets for their products without involving exporters or big retailers. Fluctuations in sales are there because people demand more shawls during winter months probably due to warmth of product and eye-catching looks. In the global markets Islampur shawls have created its own market due to its designs and quality work. The primary countries to which these shawls are exported include: United States and Canada, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are key destinations for Islampur shawls, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are some of market in the Middle East.

Selling and marketing to these overseas markets has its own complexities such as meeting import requirements, quality changes during transportation, and competition with similar domestic and other international products. This bring out new concept such as ethical fashion and sustainable product that offers new market for Islampur shawls to move into. Currently, artisans and exporters embraced the indigenous narrative of the handmade process, locally sourced materials, and fair-trade practices in promoting these shawls in the global markets because consumers and customers world over are now consciously purchasing from social justice-minded producers and using products made in sustainable and fair ways. Hamid Bunairi ADC Swat added, “The Swat District Administration and the Chamber of Commerce have consistently supported the people of Islampur by promoting and marketing their expertise globally. Furthermore, the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to assisting the diligent residents of Islampur in achieving their objectives and goals.”

This industry keeps Islampur’s community alive and thriving, while sharing Pakistan’s heritage with the world. Traditional craftsmanship here has become a genuine force in global fashion, thanks to the dedication of local artisans who meet modern challenges head-on. In a world rushing toward the new, they remind us there’s always a place for the beauty and care that go into handmade work. Islampur’s shawl-making tradition stands as a proud symbol, proving that these crafts not only support families but connect cultures and keep history alive.

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