Chitrali Chugha
\nPESHAWAR
\nIn the heart of Peshawar, just opposite the storied alleys of historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and the soft rustle of woolen cloth create a symphony of tradition inside a modest two-room shop of Chitrali Chugha (overcoat), attracting customers.
\nHere, 59-year-old Haji Fayaz Ali bends over a half-stitched Chitrali Chugha, working with quiet focus, seemingly oblivious to the cold Chapli Kababs cooling on a nearby table or the chatter outside.
\nWith the air turning crisp after the recent rains, Fayaz\u2019s hands move faster. \u201cWinter is here, and so are the orders,\u201d he says with a smile, gesturing to bundles of fabric waiting their turn.
\nThe Chitrali Chugha\u2013a traditional woolen overcoat is once again in great demand in winter in KP.
\nIts rich wool, distinctive embroidery, and deep cultural roots make it a prized possession, especially among older citizens who still prefer the warmth of authenticity over synthetic alternatives.
\nFor Fayaz, Chugha-making tailor locally called Ustad (master) is not just a livelihood; it is a legacy. \u201cI learned this craft from my father, Muhammad Nawaz,\u201d he recalls. \u201cI would come home from school, sit beside him, and watch how his hands worked magic with needle and thread.\u201d
\nNow, that same tradition is being passed to his son, Faraz Khan, who assists him in the shop. \u201cIt\u2019s not easy,\u201d Faraz admitted, \u201cbut it feels right to continue what my grandfather started irrespective of profits.\u201d
\nTheir shop is one of over 120 in Chitrali Bazaar, a vibrant market founded by artisans from Chitral who settled in Peshawar decades ago. Here, alongside embroidered waistcoats, fur-trimmed woolen caps, and shawls, the Chugha remains the most iconic winter garment in KP.
\nThough western-style coats dominate modern wardrobes, the Chitrali Chugha holds its ground, especially among those who value tradition. \u201cThe Chugha is warmer than any imported coat,\u201d says Yasir Khan, a tailor who\u2019s been crafting Chughas for over 20 years.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s made from pure wool mostly from Chitral or Swat. Unlike mass-produced clothes, this carries a part of our culture in every stitch.\u201d
\nYasir explains that machine-made Chughas in Peshawar cost between Rs7,000 and Rs10,000, while the hand-stitched versions made in Chitral can fetch up to Rs25,000 due to the painstaking effort involved.
\nAccording to journalist and cultural historian Irshadullah Chitrali, the original Chugha is more than just a coat but it\u2019s a work of art.
\n\u201cTraditionally, it was made from lamb\u2019s wool,\u201d he says. \u201cTo dye it camel brown, artisans would boil walnut husk and soak the woolen cloth, giving it that rich, earthy tone.\u201d
\nDedpute publicity of other wollen products through social and digital media, he said Chitral Chugha kept its ground in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
\n\u201cI like Chitrali Chugha made of pure wollen especially of Kohistani or Chitrali sheeps\u201d said Riaz Khan, a retired PST teacher while selecting chugha at Chitrali bazzar.
\nHe said that durability and its unique style add grace to personality besides protect people from harsh cold.
\nHe describes the process as long and labor-intensive. \u201cFrom shearing lambs to spinning wool, weaving the fabric, and finally tailoring as each Chugha took days to make. That\u2019s why the original ones are expensive and rare.\u201d
\nToday, due to limited access to lamb wool, many tailors use alternative materials, which has lowered costs but also diluted the authenticity. Still, the craftsmanship persists.
\nIn an era where foreign-made jackets flood markets at lower prices, the Chitrali Chugha continues to hold its niche not just among locals, but also among curious tourists who stumble upon the shops in Peshawar\u2019s old city.
\nAbdul Razzaq, President of Chitrali Bazaar, says demand spikes every winter. \u201cEven though machine-made Chughas are more affordable, many still prefer the handcrafted ones for their uniqueness.\u201d
\nNot every tailor can make a Chugha, he adds. \u201cIt has its own set of experts and they are highly respected in our community.\u201d
\nDespite the competition from modern outerwear, the Chitrali Chugha endures not just as clothing, but as a living symbol of heritage.
\nSmall Medium Entrepreneurs Authority (SMEDA) spokesman said that Govt was promoting such art through training to tailors and technology driven approaches.
\nHe said special training was planned for professional training of tailors of Chitrali Chugha.
\nFor craftsmen like Haji Fayaz, every stitch tells a story of family, culture, and quiet resistance against the tide of mass production.
\nAs the chill deepens across Peshawar, so too does the appreciation for this woolen wonder.
\nIn homes across the city, the Chugha is not just pulled from closets but it is wrapped around memories, passed down through generations, and worn with pride.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chitrali Chugha PESHAWAR In the heart of Peshawar, just opposite the storied alleys of historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the rhythmic hum of sewing machines and the soft rustle of woolen cloth create a symphony of tradition inside a modest two-room shop of Chitrali Chugha (overcoat), attracting customers. Here, 59-year-old Haji Fayaz Ali bends over a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-506761","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-peshawar"},"yoast_head":"\n