SAR-E-PUL (SW) – A number of the traditional hat embroidering women in Sar-e-Pol say that zardozi and ondozi hats are one of the most important handicrafts of this province, but this old industry is now dying.
According to them, the market of this industry was somehow stable for years, but with the introduction of imported hats, 70% of women have lost their jobs here.
Gulnar, one of the women hat makers, said that the market of handmade hats has fallen and its price has decreased by 60 to 70 percent. She added: “The same hat you see was worth 150 to 200 afghanis, now these hats don’t even earn us 30 afghanis. We are left speechless, there is no way, I have a blind daughter, I used to provide her expenses by embroidering hats, and now nothing happens.”
Shah Naaz, another woman who has a hat embroidering job, said that she made a living by sewing hats, but now their job market is dying. “We sew zardozi hats. Before this, we used to sell zari and ondi hats for 150 to 180 afghanis. We now sell this hat for 20 afghanis, the money is not enough. We are poor, we must be provided with help and a place to work.”
Officials of the information and culture department also confirm the challenges facing the hat embroidery industry, but they say that they are making all-out efforts to preserve this industry.
Fakhruddin Omir Sar-e-Puli, head of information and culture department, said that the government supports the customs and traditions of every community and is trying to revive this old industry, which is part of the culture of the local Uzbek community by creating a suitable market.
He added: “The department of information and culture and the elders of the Islamic Emirate are trying with all their strength to support the customs and culture of every community that is not against the Sharia, and we are supporting this industry with all our strength, hoping that this industry will grow.”
It is said that the excessive import of foreign goods has caused the stagnation of the handicrafts market in the country, and according to experts, the government should take appropriate measures to improve the market situation of these local industries.
ENDS
