Pakistan is not just blessed with four weathers but also has four land typologies. Very few countries have coastal lines to deserts, hell-frozen mountains and glaciers besides plain ands and Pakistan is one of them! Besides Mount Everest (which is in Nepal), Pakistan is the land of seven tallest mountains including the world’s second highest mountain K-2 in Karakoram mountain range in Himalayas. Pakistan also has the world’s driest desert called Cholistan located on its south eastern border with Indian Rajasthan. It is one of the most remote areas of Pakistan with no road access. The only way you can move from point A to B is via camels.
The desert resident has another usage of their beloved camels once they died. They use camel skin for making very exclusive and unique handicrafts. Till date, no other country is producing any camel-skin product besides Pakistan. Camel Skin and bones need special processing which is only possible in the hot and humid less environment of Cholistan desert. There are no leather processing and dying tanneries available for camel skin processing. Pakistani Camel products are also banned by the European Union and USA because of the use of underage kids for Camel racing. That’s why these kinds of unique camel -made handicrafts are only limited to Pakistan.
Handicraft Lamps made of Camel Skin ( Credit : Handicrafts of Multan)
Though I personally appreciate these artistic handicrafts but I don’t patronize and buy them because of the child abuse issue. I have posted a video from Youtube.com for you to judge whether these handicrafts really deserve our attention to be patronized. I think every caring person should raise voice to do something to stop this child abuse problem first. This practice is totally inhumane and unacceptable.
you have done a great job…. Good Luck Asim!
Instead of merely condemning child labour, Asim please find time to analyse the reasons for this abominable practice.No sensible person can endorse child labour but then there are certain compulsions which need detailed analysis. I am sure without finding solution to the problems involved, outright boycotting of products made of camel skin will not serve any useful purpose. In fact it will add to the heavy burden already being shouldered by Pakistan as front line state to safeguard the interests of developed world.
We have to address poverty in Pakistan for the eradication of such things
it is very sad to see this video. But lamps craft has nothing to do with the child abuse or child labour. Lamps are made by skilled craftsmen not by children. If we stop promoting a craft it will die eventually. Most of Pakistani crafts are already extinct and in danger of becoming extinct.