Author: Bunyaad

All of us here at Bunyaad believe in preserving the rich cultural heritage of traditional rug-making. We love to share our love and knowledge of hand-knotted rugs, Pakistani culture and artisan stories. Stop by anytime and enjoy a cup of Pakistani green tea with us!
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    Hot Steaming Water Buffalo Milk served by Fauzia

    ByBunyaad

    Fauzia steams milkWhen you come to any of our rug rooms and during all of our rug events across the US and Canada you get a glimpse into the world of rug making and see the artisans at work in the video “Introduction to Oriental Rugs” that is shown throughout the day. As staff I have watched this video hundreds of times. My work in the Bunyaad office also involves working with lots and lots of artisan photos. So when visiting Pakistan this year it felt almost surreal meeting these same artisans for the first time and yet feeling like I have known them for a long time.

    It is with great pleasure that I get to introduce two of these young women to you who have both been rug knotters with Bunyaad for the past eight years. Fauzia and Sofia live with their parents in the small village of Halwan about two hours north of Lahore. After finishing their schooling, they both started knotting rugs as this allowed them a good income and the ability to stay home with their parents.

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    Three Rug Room Staffers Visit Pakistan

    ByBunyaad

    Welcome to Bunyaad officeNothing tops sitting face to face with someone and getting to know them over a cup of tea. Three of our staffers (Jenni, Heike and Yousaf) along with Ten Thousand Villages Canada Rug Program Manager and Winnipeg store manager Gwen Repeta are currently traveling throughout Pakistan, meeting with rug artisans and seeing the fair trade difference in action. Where do we start first?

  • Fair Trade Rugs: Creating a More Just World

    ByBunyaad

    Artisan Rafia with daughter at loom

    I sit beside Rafia Nasir on the loom where she works on a 6×9 Persian rug with her two sisters.

    Rafia is a new mom, just like I am. She holds her nearly 8 month old little girl, letting her grab at the taut warp threads as she takes a break from her work. Rafia chuckles as I have to run and change my son’s diaper, tossing him down on her charpai, a rope bed, in the middle of her home and asking if she minds if I change him there. It’s my son’s first trip to the villages of Pakistan and at age 2, he’s taking it all in, including the chicken running into the house from the outside courtyard.