Documenting endangered knowledge of making Chitrali shu (handwoven woollen cloth) in Chitral, Northwest Pakistan
Project hosted by National Museum of Scotland
The mountainous region of Chitral in northern Pakistan is home to a pure woollen fabric called 'shu' or 'patti'. This project will document this living tradition through film and interviews.
The project is funded by the Endangered Material Knowledge Programme (EMKP), a grant programme established at the British Museum with support from Arcadia. Responding to momentous changes, this project, led by an independent Scottish-Pakistani researcher in collaboration with the Chitrali women’s cooperative Kho and Kalashi and a Pakistani woman videographer, will preserve the knowledge of making shu for the benefit of the local Chitrali community. The documentation will finally be made publicly accessible in the EMKP’s online archive.
Local artisan sorting wool © Adil Iqbal
Kaitag
Bringing artisanal heritage and contemporary aesthetics to home interiors
A home textile collection by TWILLING TWEEDS X NINDYAA
Kaitag is an ode to human creativity and artistry handiwork, connecting customers to the makers, celebrating intercultural values. The memories, traditions and patterns revive the endangered craft of Chitrali Shu (Hand woven woollen cloth).
Maker Labs
The feasibility study assesses the need
and the logistics of carrying out ‘Maker Labs’ which are mobile training camps on traditional embroidery and craft skills for women living in remote villages of the Chitral valley in North Pakistan. The study consulted communities and established sustainable community development forums with crafts communities, gathered logistical data on the viability of mobile training in the villages.
Mahraka Centre
Mahraka, which means ‘gathering of people’ is a shared community hub where women can come and meet others, be inspired and seize opportunities for the fulfillment of well-being, skills development and economic empowerment. The Centre runs a variety of creative educational workshops, apprentice style training opportunities and mentoring in skills and personal development.
Geeve
A Crafting Futures Programme by the British Council
"Geeve" is a traditional form of social organisation in Chitral which promotes mutual cooperation, interaction and understanding. It provides a unique opportunity for youngsters to learn collectively from skilled artisans.
Textiles in Dialogue
An exhibtion at Sheikh Abdullah Cultural Centre in Kuwait, collaboration with Al Sadu and Twilling Tweeds.
Kasb-e-Hunar ( Skilled Enclave)
Kasb-e-Hunar (Skilled Enclave) is a sensory film showing a visual documentation of Chitrali Shu (woollen cloth) and short interviews with an elderly artisan community from the village of Madaklasht. It invites the audience in to engage with the past and present and seeks to provoke conversations about the future and the responsibilities we have, given past mistakes.
Twilling Tweeds
A cross cultural journey between the weavers of Outer Hebrides and the embroiderers of Chitral (Northern Pakistan). Scribbles, anecdotes and stitches illustrate the sensory experiences of skilled and collaborative practice between two isolated craft communities. A series of contemporary hand-loomed embroidered textiles will interpret Scottish and Chitrali stories through illustrated narratives. The artwork incorporates Chitrali narratives illustrated on Harris Tweed as well as Scottish narratives. This exchange mingles their traditions in a unique and unexpected way.
