Kashmir Father-Daughter Revive 200-Year-Old Mat Craft

In Srinagar, Kashmir, 24-year-old Tanzila and her father Gulam Hassan are proving that ancient traditions can create modern solutions. Their mission to revive Wuguv weaving, a nearly extinct craft of handmade grass mats, is now giving dozens of women steady income without leaving their homes.

Until the early 2000s, nearly every Kashmiri household had at least one Wuguv mat. Handwoven from dried rice straw and wetland reeds, these traditional floor coverings kept homes warm in winter and cool during summer.

But factory-made alternatives and changing lifestyles pushed the craft to the edge of extinction. By 2020, very few artisans still knew how to weave the intricate patterns that once defined Kashmiri homes.

Gulam Hassan refused to let the tradition die. After 2020, he began reviving the craft in his own home, and Tanzila learned by watching him work between college classes.

As neighbors noticed their work, word spread quickly. Local women started asking to learn the skill, and the family's home transformed into an informal training center.

Today, more than 20 women have learned Wuguv weaving from the duo. Many now earn between 10,000 and 12,000 rupees monthly (roughly $120 to $145) working from home.

Among them is 43-year-old Shameema, a mother of three who trains a dozen women in her neighborhood. She works about five hours daily after finishing household tasks, creating both income and pride.

The process requires patience and skill. A standard mat takes around four days to complete, with two artisans typically working together. The materials come from local wetlands, where grasses and reeds are collected, dried, and carefully sorted before weaving begins.

The Ripple Effect

The revival is about more than preserving craft techniques. For women in Kashmir, Wuguv weaving offers something rare: flexible work that honors tradition while building financial independence.

These women don't need to leave their homes or navigate rigid work schedules. They can balance family responsibilities while earning money and keeping alive knowledge passed down through generations.

The growing demand from across India has also helped artisans see their work valued again. What was once dismissed as outdated is now recognized as unique, sustainable, and culturally significant.

Tanzila uses her earnings to fund her education while helping expand the initiative. She connects with customers, coordinates training sessions, and attracts younger artisans curious about learning traditional crafts.

The father-daughter partnership shows how cultural preservation and economic opportunity can work together. Their home-based approach makes the craft accessible to women who might not otherwise have income options.

Kashmir's grass mats are finding their way back into modern homes, one handwoven pattern at a time.