Reconnecting Communities through Craft - Intergenerational Learning and Cultural Sustainability in Hunza

Abstract

This research explores the idea of heritage revitalization and cultural sustainability through craft-based practices in the context of Hunza Valley, a district in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of northern Pakistan known for its rich cultural heritage and strong community values. In recent decades, rapid development and modernisation have reshaped everyday life, contributing to the gradual decline of traditional practices, social connections, and cultural identity. The study investigates how crafts and shared values once supported a closely connected and socially sustainable community, and how these have changed over time. Using Arts-Based Action Research (ABAR), the research combines interviews, field observations, and a participatory workshop involving elders and children. Wool and thread-making practices were used as a medium to explore intergenerational learning, storytelling, and cultural exchange. The findings show that craft practices functioned not only as productive activities but also as important social spaces that enabled knowledge transmission and strengthened relationships. The research concludes that craft-based intergenerational activities can play a meaningful role in reconnecting communities and supporting cultural sustainability. The study highlights the potential of reinterpreting traditional practices to create new spaces for dialogue, learning, and social connection in contemporary contexts.