The Crafts of Sindh

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The crafts of Sindh and its craftsmen are held in high esteem and their works are notable not only in Sindh but also in many other places.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Pottery[edit]

The history of pottery in the Sindh region originates from Indus Civilization. The pottery is breathtakingly beautiful. Vessels are painted with the colours of the rainbow and then glazed with earth called "channioh" which imparted lustre and brightness to the finished products. These vessels are used for both decorative and cooking purposes. In old days the utensils, pots etc. were made from pottery.

Blue Pottery:

Kashi tiles: The production of kashi tiles is very old in Sindh, these tiles are famous from Hala and Nasarpur.^[6]

Weaving[edit]

Lungi: made of silk, cotton and wool, in both bright and soft colours with beautifully woven broad borders of silver and gold thread.^[7] The use of bright, bold and vibrant colors with gold zari on the Lungi make its worth and significance.^[8]

Sussi: Sussi is a term for multicolored striped or checked cloth produced mainly in Hala, Hyderabad and Thatta, Sindh.^[9][10] Sussi is thin handloom fabric made of cotton, silk, or a blend of the two, with colored warp stripes. Sindh region was known for its production and exports during the Mughal period. Sussi was most often made with red and blue, blue and white, or green and white stripes, but other patterns were also produced. The fabric was exported to England, where sousaes were in great demand in the 18th century.^[11] Sussi are used for women trousers or for skirts.

Sindhi khadi/thari shawls: these are handwoven khadi shawls worn in winters, these are most beautiful usually in black and white colors with multi color stripes, other colors are also used for making these shawls.^[12][13][14]

Loi/Loee: these are simple handwoven lightweight winter shawls, these are made usually in cream colors.^[15]

Farasi/Pharasi: traditional Sindhi weaved rugs.^[16][17]

Khes: traditional Sindhi shawls and rugs.^[16][18]

Khatho: traditional woolen shawls, worn in winter season to keep warm.^[19][16]

Kaleen/Gilim/Galicho: Sindhi carpets made in tharparker.

Other weaving items are: darree, oonr, pachko etc.^[15]

Block printing[edit]

Ajrak: a traditional block printed shawl of Sindh, ajrak displays many special designs and patterns made using wooden stamps, and dyed with both vegetable dyes and mineral dyes, madder and indigo are important.

Maleer: is block printed shawl used by women, nowadays so many designs of maleer are used as dress.

Quilts[edit]

Ralli: a traditional quilts of Sindh. The tradition of ralli/rilli making is very old in Sindh. The word ralli is derived from the sindhi word "ralanna", which means (to mix and connect). The ralli is made by placing many layers of cloth, one upon the other. The lowest layer is called "tah" mostly of bright and dark colors, with either applique or patchwork on top layer making amazing geometrical designs, patterns, motifs and objects on top layer. The layers are sewn together by simple running stitch called "kunh".

Rallis are usually used as lightweight coverlet, it can also be used as a prayer mat (musallo), floor covering, or used as a cover for things. Almost every house in Sindh have collection of rallis, usually made by the women of house for everyday use. The rallis are also given as dowry to daughters, the small piece of ralli for babies is called "rilko". In Sindh, two different types of ralli are made, the applique (tuk) ralli and the patchwork ralli.

Ghadelo: The traditional mattress used for sitting and sleeping.

Sawarh: Traditional blanket used in the cold season.

Tie and dye[edit]

Bandhni or bandhno is a tie and dye technique art on a cloth, it is believed that bandhani art orignated from Sindh. Bandhani art of Sindh is as old as the block printing art of Sindh, both arts were practiced in Indus valley civilization. Bandhani is traditionally used for making skirts, long wide veils and Sarees. Lār region and thar desert of Sindh are famous for Bandhni making.^[20]

Embroidery and mirrorwork[edit]

Sindh is well known for its embroideries and mirrorwork. There are various stitches and embroideries throughout Sindh.

Gaj: are solid embroidery with mirrorwork, pompoms, sequins, cowries, shells, beads and buttons over the woman's shirt it usually covers the area, starting from neck up to the stomach. It incorporates variety of stitches and colors. Sometimes, it is made on separate piece of cloth and then attached to the garment.

Bujki: traditional Sindhi embroidered dowry purse for bride.^[21]

Bokhano: a long embroidered narrow scarf worn on shoulders by grooms.^[22][23]

Doshalo: a heavy embroidered shawl for groom on wedding day, that he wears over his shoulders.^[24]

Gothro: is traditional embroidered sack, used for putting stuff and materials.^[22]

Thalposh: is a coverlet, it is embroidered cover for food, fruits etc.^[22][25][24]

Jhalposh: another type of coverlet used for the foods items.^[26]

Woodcarving[edit]

Woodcarving is done in Shikarpur, many intricate designs are made on wood for doors, beds, etc.^[27]

Lacquer work[edit]

Lacquer work, or (Jandri/Jandi jo kam) is one of the most beautiful arts on wood. Almost all the material for Sindhi craftsmen came from the River Indus. The wood from the trees on its bank was used for carvings and furniture beautifully decorated with lacquer work. The object was coated with a fine powder and polished. Traditional designs were outlined with paint and filled with bright and beautiful colours. After they dried they were varnished with shellac. A traditional swing called Pingho or Hindoro, traditional wooden beds Khats, sofas, chairs, vases, utensils and lamps are some of the famous items made in Jandri art.^[1]

Basketry[edit]

There are so many villages in Sindh which have many artisans, who use local things to make handicrafts. Khairpur and Sukkur districts are renowned for its date palm gardens. Apart from producing different date products, many locals make use of leaves and branches of palm trees to make numerous basketry products, the women of these districts, use date leaves, branches of plants, wheat husk, dried grains, and other materials to make amazing handicrafts.^[28]

Many items are made like Chabiyu, Pindiyu/Dabeki (plate for bread roti), hotpots, mats, hand fans etc., these items are also decorated with colorful pompoms, metallic thread and sometimes with mirrors.

Leatherwork[edit]

Artisans manufactured many fine things in leather in earlier centuries. Coverlets, hangings, bed and table covers and ornamental shields and bucklers. The finest camel coverings called "Nuhs" and horse trappings in leather worked with silver thread were highly esteemed for their workmanship.^[29][30]

Shoes: Sindhi jutti and Sindhi khusso and Mojri are traditionally made from leather with various embroideries, beads etc. on them. Sindhi mochis were famous for making these shoes.

Other Sindhi crafts[edit]

Bamboo work: Bamboo sticks are used for making furniture, traditional curtains, and wall hanging with mirrors and decorations. Also Bamboo homes and local restaurants are made.^[31] In rural Sindh a traditional chair called "Moorho" and table are made from chusquea culeou bamboo, put together with reeds and straw.^[32]

Beadwork: Beadwork (Motin jo kam) is used in many things, like jewelry, Sagi/Choti, keychains, pens, Agath, for decorations on busses and rickshaws.^[33][34]

Jewelry: the jewelry and ornaments making craft of Sindh is really ancient since Indus valley civilization, different material and metals like Silver, Gold, Bronze, Copper, Brass, "Aaj" Ivory, plastic, glass, "Kodd, Sippi" seashells, Kanjhi were used to make jewelries in Sindh, in ancient times the jewelry were also used to be made of clay, wood, stone, iron etc, various designs, precious stones, gems, beads etc were used on such materials. Today, Gold is most desirable metal among Sindhis, but Silver, Plastic, Glass etc is also used for everyday ornaments, which are beautifully carved in Minakari, Moti, Maniya, Manka, Manak, Heera, Burra etc. The glass bangles of Hyderabad and plastic bangles of Thar are also famous. The Sindhi women wear alot of jewelries, the men also used to wear alot jewelries, also the jewelries for animals like cows, camels, horses etc are so many, also the decorations, ornate pieces for vehicles and transportation is also very ancient art of Sindh, which even today can be seen on the buses, boats, rickshaws and bullocks. The trend for wearing alot of jewelries has been declined in Sindh. The traditional Sindhi jewelries are:^[35]

• For Neck: Duhri, Haar, Chandan Haar, Kundan Haar, Rāni Haar, Hass, Hassi, Hasli, Galoband, Nimbori, Thaeeth/Tāweez, Tay Pasaon Thaeeth, Galpatto, Katmāl/Katmāla, Māndhriya/Māddriya, Vailo, Varlo, Hānwri, Kanthi, Gāni, Niburri etc.
• For Ears: Wala, Dura, Waliyon, Jhumak, Leelum, Panra, Kanphul, Magar (Pālo magar, Jhālo magar), Jhamtiyun, Dāni/Dānwriyun/Sahāra, Jhumak Lota, Kurkun/Karkun, Seeryun, Dargal Alolk, Nasbi, Nabsiyun, Pokhāriyun, Panriyun/Palriyun, Kiwtiyun, Darbja, Bundha/Bunda etc.
• Arms, Forearms: Chooriyun, Chura, Bānhi, Kangar, Magali/Magili, Bāzuband, Bārkhiyun/Bānhrakhiyun, Bānhotta/Bānhutha, Hathriyun, Mangliyun, Hath Gajriyun, Katriya, Ponchiyun, Kulhan ja Patta etc.
• For Fingers: Mundri/Mundi, Chhalo, Khirol, Var etc.
• Head, Forehead, Hairs: Tiko, Tiklo, Chindi, Āali, Munhdāni/Munhadāni, Kandho, Jhumar/Pāso/Mirzo, Bakal, Tāj, Tāj Tikko, Kilp, Kilpri, Kaanta, Sirpatti, Sirband, Bindi, Tikro, Saggi/Chotti, Chotti Phul, Dāni/Dānwriyun/Sahāra etc.
• Nose: Nath, Nathni, Phuli, Phulri, Booli, Bulo, Veeti, Vaindo/Veendo, Koko, Heero, Raidari etc.
• Ankles, Feet: Payal, Pāzaib/Pājaib/Pājait, Jhānjhar, Kara, Chhehr, Noora, Nawār, Newar, Sāttiyun, Karriyun, Katiyun, Wachhna, Wachhona, Pair Chhala, Mundiyun/Mundriyun, Varna, Polriyun, Badi Bairi ji Kari, Kādhliya, Sātta, Phalodār, Rupai Wara, Kādhla etc.
• Hands, Wrists: Chambo/Chanbo, Hath, Karra, Karriyun, Dasti, Kangriyun, Vairh/Varna, Ānero/Ānhero, Hath Sakrro, Peena Kara etc.
• Waist: Chehlkee, Chehlpatta, Chhehl Meekro etc.
• Other Jewelries: Magar, Baiser, Bainno, Bandra, Tikili, Pasi, Paunchi, Vātriyun, Lakri, Jhorro, Chhāttla, Jhamar, Kundho, Vidhi, Kabchi patta, Kiriyun, Popat, Moman, Var'ra, Shinhmora, Alok, Pāttkanān/Pāttknān, Langar, Ramjhol/Rimjhol, Oonra, Tiyor/Tewer, Gajriyun, Hānora/Hānwna, Anitta, Kātriya, Jhāba, Sabbi, Seriyun, Hom, Dargala, Maindphul, Por, Phalaiyun, Wendo, Phul, Chhatt, Pattiya, Annott, Ghanghra, Markiyun.^[35][36]

Applique work: Tuk jo kam is done on clothes and on other stuff.

Camel barber art: the hair on camel's skin is trimmed to make amazing patterns on it. This art of camel hair cut is done mostly in desert regions of Sindh, sometimes black color and henna is also used to make different designs.^[37][38]

Copper bells: metal bells are made for cattle and other animals; these are used all over Sindh for animals.

Ivory work/Shell work: In past Ivory carved jewelry for women and ivory carved wooden furniture and other ivory products were quite common in Sindh, ancient port city Bhambhore had worlds largest ivory workshop discovered in the world,^[39] also in Hyderabad and Karachi seashell products are still made.^[40][41] This ancient ivory work has been almost died, but seashell and plastic bangles resembling of ivory are still made in lower part of Sindh.

Sindhi Khat: the Khat or charpai is a traditional woven bed of India and Pakistan, but Sindhi khats have their own uniqueness, these are made of different styles, patterns, designs and material. The small khat is called "Manjhi".^[42]

Sindhi Traditional Doll: Sindhi doll called guddi/guddo(f/m) is traditional way of making dolls from white cloth sewn in human shape, and stuffed with cotton or small pieces of cloth, these were made to be played by kids.^[43][44] now a jute made dolls are also made.

Sindhi Sagi/Choti: Sagi/Choti is an hair accessory used by Sindhi women and Punjabi women as well to tie their hairs into braids, it is made of many colors, beads, pompons, shells, mirrors etc, traditionally some Sindhi women also used a silver or gold jewelry on braids as well.^[45]

Gallery[edit]

See also[edit]

• Pakistani craft
• Sindhi Embroideries

References[edit]