29 Interesting Facts about Nepalese Handicraft Products
Nepal is affluent in terms of history, art, and culture. With its diverse religions, traditions, ethnicities, and unique ways of life, Nepalese handicrafts date back to the oldest civilization of the entire world. Handicraft is a significant industry in the nation that exemplifies the creativity, dignity, culture, tradition, and skill of the artisans and the country.
The Nepalese handicraft industry has a diversified product portfolio. There is a wide variety of handicraft products available in the market, including Gurkha Khukuri Knife, Pashmina Shawl, Tibetan singing bowl, Metal statues, Woodcrafts, Handprinted textiles, Embroidered products, Nepali handwoven Carpets, Bamboo products, Nepali Dhaka, Silver jewelry, Thangka Paintings, Leather Products and so on.
Nepalese handicrafts are recognized worldwide and have incredible historical, cultural, and religious significance. However, while there are demand and promotion for Nepali handicrafts globally, the desire for such products in our national market is low.
Local people lean toward machine-delivered things as they come at a low price. So, while we talk big about our rich culture and heritage, there is a question that we, as a whole, should ask ourselves.
How much do you know about the Nepalese handicraft industry and handicraft products? Or, When was the last time you checked into a handicraft store to buy some genuine Nepali handmade products?
If the answers are ‘Never and Nothing, here are some interesting facts about Nepalese handicraft products that you NEED to know.
Nepalese Handicraft Facts:
Nepali handicraft industry is a $1.84 billion industry worldwide. According to data by the National trading and promotion organization, Nepal exported handicrafts worth over Rs5.4 billion in the last fiscal year, which indicated a growth of over seventeen percent
The business is spread all over the nation, basically in rural and urban areas.
The Nepali handicraft sector is one of the influential employment-providing sectors. It provides many employment opportunities to artisans, including women and people belonging to Nepal’s underprivileged category.
Many manufacturing units are situated in small towns, and there is colossal market potential in the capital city and abroad.
Did you know that the handicrafts sector is one of the most significant sources of foreign exchange earnings for Nepal?
The Nepali handicraft industry is a home-based, labor-intensive industry.
The major export markets for Nepali handicraft goods are the United States, Europe, Japan, and China. Other countries like the UK, Australia, and UAE also have a high demand for such products.
Nepalese handicraft industry is approximately 5 billion industry around the world.
Pashmina products, Tibetan singing bowls, Textile products, Bamboo products, and Wood carvings are the highest demanded handicraft products in Nepal and abroad.
Nepali Handicrafts are more costly than machine-made items because every handmade item is unique in its way.
Magnificent metal statues and other metal utensils have been made here down the centuries.
Mithila painting is an ancient form of art and dates back to the period of Ramayana. It all started when King Janaka ordered his craftsmen to capture the moment of Lord Ram Sita Vivah.
Every item’s unique and reflects our nation’s history, culture, heritage, and religion.
The range of utilitarian products like buttons, trays, comb, pen stand, and lamps, crafted from horns and bones are the most sought-after handicraft products in Nepal after Pashmina shawl, Tibetan singing bowls, Clay potteries, Bamboo products, Basketry, and metal statues.
The low initial investment, cheap labor cost, skilled labor, diversified product portfolio, and flexible manufacturing are important features of the Nepali handicraft industry.
The exotic wooden craft of Nepal comes down over many generations.
Unbelievable!
Nepali Handicraft Industry has a special place among other remaining industries since it embodies Nepal’s rich culture and tradition.
Nepali textile & handicrafts industry is the largest employment generator after agriculture.
It is a major source of income for rural communities employing hundreds of artisans, including many women and people belonging to the underprivileged category of the society.
A single Thangka painting, also known as a scroll painting, can even take several months to complete.
Hats off to such handwork and perseverance. Isn’t that amazing!
Thangka art and paintings date back to 2500 BC.
Thangka serve as important teaching tools depicting the life of the Buddha, various influential lamas and other deities.
Handmade Nepali statues made from materials like brass, bronze, and clay are collector’s items and are famous worldwide.
Every item is extremely exceptional as someone has put their heart and soul into it.
Gurkha Khu or the Kukri is one of the most unique and efficient handmade daggers in the world.
Tibetan prayer flags contain sacred mantras and pictures believed to generate spiritual vibrations that are released when blown by the wind.
Mithila art is still done with eco-friendly materials as it was thousands of years ago.
The traditional metal crafting is from the Tamrakar Family of Patan. It is a single-family to keep this art alive for years by passing it to their generation after generation.
Lokta products are very popular worldwide and contribute to almost 10% of the total handicraft exports.
Traditional ceramics is an ancient craft dating back to hundreds and thousands of years, with the oldest recorded finds in Lumbini being supposedly 2600 years old.
Handmade paper is one of the oldest handicrafts in Nepal and has a unique texture that allows natural ink to stay for a long time.
Thangka painting is an ancient art form that uses minerals and vegetable-based colors that are completely eco-friendly.
The Nepali masks make an excellent showpiece and are used during cultural dances and festivals in Nepal.
Stonecraft is the oldest existing work of art in Nepal, and the techniques remain unchanged over the centuries.
Nepal’s rich cultural diversity provides unique resources to craft handicraft items.
The wood carving holds a special place in the valley’s history. The capital city of Nepal is named after the famous wood monument known as Kasthamandap Temple located near Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Dhaka, an intricate handwoven material, is both unique and highly popular amongst the people of Nepal. It is a national cap of the Nepali people.
Nepali felt products constitute a significant part of leading handicraft exports.
Clay products in Nepal have been found dating back to more than two thousand years ago and thus is an ancient art form in Nepal.
Hemp products and handmade Nepali paper products are completely Eco-friendly handicraft products that are the authentic products of Nepal.
After reading this article, I hope you will learn about the vast Nepali handicraft industry and handicraft products. Now that you know some amazing facts about Nepali handicrafts, you might want to preserve and support the traditional art. I have come up with a solution for you. Just click on the share buttons and share this article to let other people know what you recently learned. Also, don’t forget to read other articles to know about Nepal’s arts and cultures.