Written by: Mahnaz Shujrah
Posted on: September 04, 2019 | 
| 中文
Workshop at Ciqam
When I used to imagine the northern mountain ranges of Pakistan, the first thing that came to my mind was the picturesque scenery. However, after several visits, I realized that actual beauty lies not in the landscapes, but rather in the communities living there. During my latest visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, I was truly inspired by the gender-equality I witnessed there, things you don't normally consider searching for as a tourist. I learned about flourishing women-led initiatives, which had not yet been executed in large metropolitan cities like Karachi and Lahore. Ciqam, a social enterprise made for and led by women, was one such initiative.
Routine work on going at the workshop
“Ciqam” is a Brushiski word which means “greenery”, but it also means growth and prosperity. Ciqam was created in 2003, and is located outside the Altit Fort in the Hunza Valley of Northern Pakistan. The project developed under Aga Khan Cultural Services Pakistan (AKCSP), and is also funded by the Norwegian Embassy Trust for Culture. Its aim is to economically empower local women, so they can contribute and earn from the industries present in the region. It trains women in the art of carpentry and stone masonry, occupations which are normally associated with men.
Since its inception, the project has established itself in the area and has had tremendous growth. Now along with carpentry, these women also run their own restaurant, music school and guest house, all of which they built themselves.
Leif Larsen Music Center
We visited the Leif Larsen Music Center (LLMC), located right outside the main entrance of Altit Fort. LLMC focuses on reviving traditional music and instruments of Gilgit-Baltistan and its surrounding areas. The region has many languages, and this center serves as an opportunity for the youth to learn from the best artists in their language. With pop culture on the rise, obscure languages often get overlooked or marginalized. Having a physical space dedicated to the preservation and celebration of these ancient languages and music, acknowledges the importance of dying oral traditions, and also allows for an exchange of ideas and a collaboration amongst students.
The LLMC is also established as a guest house for visitors coming to the area for different projects. The rent per night is relatively high by local standards, but this income serves to run the center, providing funds for salaries and future projects. Personally, the most interesting aspect was the architecture of the building. The structure was very carefully designed to look relatively small from the outside, but to be spacious on the inside. This is a traditional technique that uses minimal cement, which is best suited to the severe climate of the mountains.
Aqeela Bano
Aqeela Bano, manager of the Ciqam project, has been working with it since its early days. She explained to me the importance of a profession like carpentry. There are many initiatives for women to get involved in the workforce in Gilgit-Baltistan, ranging from stitching and embroidery, to arts and crafts. These are great contributions no doubt, but often this market is already saturated by different buyers and sellers, and it becomes difficult to earn a steady source of income. On the other hand, carpentry is a growing industry due to the increasing rise in tourism.
Apart from the fact that Ciqam empowers women, it also keeps in mind the environment. Not only do they use local wood in their projects, they also do research on trees and promote eco-friendly campaigns. Amongst local trees, there are some which can be replaced faster, while others take more than a human lifetime to fully grow. For environmental purposes, it is better to use trees which grow faster. Ciqam also does frequent plantation drives of fast-growing trees, to encourage sustainability and environmental awareness, and so far their efforts have been successful.
Upholstery section of the workshop
There is such talent in the youth of these communities, yet they often suffer from a lack of opportunities and facilities. As these initiatives prosper, they serve as motivation to the next generation to create opportunities, rather than wait for them. Nationally and internationally, Ciqam has been recognized for its efforts in uplifting its community.
Towards the conclusion of our tour, Aqeela Bano also mentioned that they still face some backlash from the community. While, over the years, people have become more open to the idea of women working in a profession like carpentry, there is a difference between tolerance and acceptance.
But what Ciqam does is train these women to develop skills that no one can take away from them. It empowers these women, who become bread winners of their family. People often choose the parts of religion and culture which suit them best, and the road is difficult for whoever goes against the status quo. But, the social change makers of Ciqam have proved that women are equal contributors to the community and industry. These are the pioneers, who have initiated change at the grass root level, altering the face of their community.
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