Twig baskets becoming a cultural reminiscence

Traditional craftspeople struggle amid plastic's rise

RAHIM YAR KHAN:

The workers producing baskets with twigs, locally called Khari, are complaining that their business has come to a standstill as the people insist on plastic items, making it difficult for them to earn a living wage in the profession.

The demand for the centuries-long regional cultural basket Khari's has dwindled.

About two decades ago, these baskets used to adorn every home in the region.

Especially in the rural areas, people used to keep the leftover food under the Khari to save it from rotting.

Muhammad Riaz, Tanveer Ahmad and 60-year-old Zubaidah Mai, who make baskets from thin lye branches brought from the areas along the Indus river, also blame the inflation for the plight of their craft.

Their families have been producing such baskets since the time of their forefathers but for the last 20 years, people have stopped buying Kharis because of the huge demand for plastic and iron products. There are almost no buyers for cultural items. In addition to the other difficulties, inflation is so high that they cannot make both ends meet from the low sale of their product.

A few decades ago, the first need of local people used to be a Khari basket, which was found in every home and business boomed accordingly. The shift towards using plastic items has also affected the environment and posed risks to then health of the people.

A local resident said the authorities should take steps to save the symbol of regional culture from vanishing as that the earnings of the craftspeople involved in the trade continue.