Carrying on tradition: From the hands of the master basket weaver

Handmade baskets and lamps cost Rs100 and Rs200 depending on quality.

BAHAWALPUR: Rahim Yar Khan is home to basket weavers, who have learned their craft out of the need and expertise of their ancestors.  Of them, one is Gul Khan, who hails from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and he is no exception. He began making baskets and lamps from palm leaves at an early age. He has been linked to this profession for the last 20 years. However, when plastic invaded everyday life, palm leaves baskets became nothing more than a piece of decoration.

Gul has magical hands. In his roadside shop in Chowk Pathanistan, he weaved and unravelled the palm leaves as many times as was necessary so the basket achieved its unusual shape, the right size, and the exact design.

While speaking to The Express Tribune, he said, “I bring palm leaves from Sindh and make these baskets and lamps. This is the only source of income for my family and I will continue to work till the end of my life.” He added, “I sell the baskets and lamps for Rs100 and Rs200 depending on their quality.”



Gul lamented, “I work hard day and night and after making these items, I sell them in the market. But I do not earn enough and could hardly afford two times meal.”

While complaining about new products, especially baskets made of plastic, he maintained modern stuff has completely changed our living style and at the same time it has affected our culture and tradition. He pointed out, “In the past, these baskets and lamps were used more often and were considered an essential household item but now they are only bought for decorative purposes.”

Meanwhile, Mukhtar Ahmad, resident of Rahim Yar Khan, told The Express Tribune, “I was passing through the area when I noticed these beautiful looking baskets and lamps.” He said these items attracted him therefore he stopped at the shop to buy one for his house.

Mukhtar said earlier, his family used to keep such baskets in the kitchen but with the passage of time, these have been replaced with plastic ones.

Another resident Resham Ajmal said, “I keep palm leaves basket when I go to the market to buy grocery because it is easy to carry and is convenient rather than lifting multiple shopping bags.” Resham said she bought baskets from Gul Khan several times.

Similarly, Muhammad Akram, a resident of Zahirpir, told The Express Tribune that use of palm leaves baskets has been limited for decoration purposes in the city. He said, “However, if we move towards the rural areas people are still using these baskets in their homes.” He said lamps and baskets made of palm leaves are more reliable and durable.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 5^th, 2017.