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This video documents khamak embroidery, a traditional craft practiced in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Khamak is a detailed whitework embroidery created using geometric satin stitches on fine cotton or linen cloth. It was historically used to decorate floor-length shawls for men and burqas (head coverings) for women. Most Pashtun women learn khamak embroidery at a young age […]
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This video presents a brief overview of Gabba-making practices in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. Gabbas are coarse, brightly embroidered carpets used for everyday purposes and are sometimes referred to as the “poor man’s carpet” in contrast to Qaleens. The production process is labour-intensive and time-consuming. Respect for tools used in crafting is observed through specific […]
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This video documents traditional craft practices in Harchin, Laspur Valley, Upper Chitral, Pakistan. It highlights the role of older women, particularly grandmothers, in spinning thread – a communal activity where one individual can produce enough thread for nearly four carpets in a single night. Livestock such as sheep, goats, and yaks are commonly reared by […]
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In this video, we explore the rich cultural heritage of rug weaving among nomadic communities in Afghanistan. Woven entirely by hand, these rugs are not sold but traded for essential goods. Their intricate patterns – passed down through generations of women – are thousands of years old, preserving ancestral knowledge and storytelling. These rugs serve […]
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This video delves into the intricate embroidery traditions passed down through generations of women in the Gandhara region. More than just a craft, embroidery is a form of social bonding, where women gather after daily chores to sew, sing, and share stories – often finishing each other’s work. Seasonal garments like embroidered ‘palos’ and salampur […]
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This case study shares the experience of Shafeeqa, a master artisan from the Anchar Lake area of Srinagar, who has worked in traditional Sozni and Tilla embroidery for over four decades. Despite living through persistent poverty, political instability, and conflict-related disruptions in Kashmir, she used her skills to support her family and train other women […]
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This case study documents the experience of Basanti, a displaced woman from Kashmir who has navigated multiple challenges linked to conflict, displacement, and economic insecurity. Following her relocation to Jammu in the early 1990s, Basanti and her family experienced prolonged instability across various refugee camps, with limited access to essential services and economic opportunities. Drawing […]
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Afghanistan: Researching Shifting Landscapes (2019–2024) follows the work of the Afghan Solidarity Coalition, a global partnership of scholars and practitioners, and the resilient women artisans of Afghanistan as they navigate profound environmental, social, and economic changes. Through these intimate vignettes, woven together by a dedication to women’s peace, participation, and cultural heritage, the documentary reveals […]
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People on the Move is a short animated film from the Gender, Justice, and Security Hub that synthesises field research in Afghanistan conducted between 2019 and 2024. It outlines the Hub’s mandate to document conflict, discrimination and violence against marginalised communities, demonstrates how political instability and repeated crises create a self-perpetuating cycle of local conflict, […]
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In this video, Afghan refugee children reflect on their disrupted education during COVID-19 and how the Sikhao Saathi program helped them get back to learning. Despite lacking Pakistani ID cards, many have rejoined government schools – some already in Grade 6 – and even discovered a passion for teaching. They share the ongoing challenges of […]