The Sacred Art of Chitrali Shu

For centuries, the women from the mountainous villages of Chitral Valley have spun wool into yarn to be woven into the windproof fabric called Shu which is also known as patti. Chitrali Shu is both handwoven and felted. Each roll celebrates a single family’s skills in raising a unique breed of sheep called kailey and tells the story of their work, their pastures and their community. From washing the sheep in the local spring water to carding, teasing, spinning, weaving and felting, together with all the tools and instruments, everything carries its own unique technique and vocabulary in Khowar which is one of the native languages of Chitral. This is reflected in a famous saying in Chitral: “Only the craftsman knows . . . craft is knowledge.” The transcendent quality of Shu embodies the rich background of indigenous knowledge and skill that is used in every stage of its production.