Things We Make and Do
Local Crafts and Traditional Occupations of J&K
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Overview
This topic connects children to the rich craft heritage of Jammu & Kashmir, helping them appreciate the skill, labour and cultural significance behind everyday objects. For JKTET Paper I, "Things We Make and Do" falls under Environmental Studies, which integrates social and natural environments. Expect questions on identifying raw materials, processes, regions associated with specific crafts, and the occupations of artisans.
Mastering this topic requires knowing the distinguishing features of Pashmina, papier-mâché and walnut woodwork—the three flagship crafts of the region—along with other traditional occupations such as carpet weaving, Kani shawl making, copperware (Kansa), and agriculture-based livelihoods. Questions often link crafts to geography (e.g., Pashmina from Ladakh goats) and to the broader theme of sustainable livelihoods and cultural preservation.
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Key Concepts
- **Pashmina** is a fine fibre obtained from the Changthangi goat found in Ladakh at altitudes above 4,000 m. The harsh cold produces the soft undercoat (pashm) that is hand-spun and hand-woven into shawls.
- **Papier-mâché** (called *kar-i-qalamdani* in Kashmiri) uses waste paper pulp moulded over wooden or clay forms, then painted with intricate floral and chinar-leaf designs using natural and mineral colours.
- **Walnut woodwork** (*kar-i-jaddi*) is the art of carving walnut timber—abundantly grown in Kashmir—into furniture, screens, trays and decorative panels. Designs include dragons, lotus flowers and grape-vine motifs.
- **Kani shawls** differ from embroidered shawls; they are woven on looms using small wooden sticks (kanis) to create tapestry-like patterns. A single shawl can take months to years.
- **Carpet weaving** in Kashmir uses hand-knotted silk or wool on vertical looms. Knot density (measured per square inch) determines quality; 324 knots/sq in is standard, 900+ is premium.
- **Copperware (Kansa/Traam)** involves sheet-copper beaten and engraved into samovars, plates and household items—centred in Srinagar's old city.
- **Traditional occupations** extend beyond crafts: houseboat building (*doonga* makers), saffron farming (Pampore), apple and walnut cultivation, and seasonal grazing by Gujjar and Bakerwal communities.
- **GI Tags**: Pashmina (2008), Kani Shawl (2008), Kashmiri Papier-mâché (2011), Kashmir Walnut Wood Carving (2023) hold Geographical Indication status, protecting authenticity.
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