Bibi Amina : Hunza’s first woman carpenter
- Mehwish Aziz
- Sep 24, 2017
- 3 min read
HUNZA: A tall and thin woman, with a fair complexion, carrying a hammer in her hand is fixing the doors of a building in a far flung area of Pakistan’s Hunza Valley. She has a constant smile on her face and she enjoys what she does. Bibi Amina who thought sky was the limit, aspiring to become a pilot in her childhood, is now recognized as Hunza’s first woman carpenter.
From a distance, she can be seen carrying a bag full of different equipment used in carving and wood work. To everyone’s surprise in the beginning, she unloaded timber, boards and logs from a tractor without any help.
She lost her father back in 2006 when she was in 10th grade and then it felt like her dreams were shattered.
“It hit me really hard but I had to compose myself and take charge to support my family financially. There was no other choice and I am proud of bearing the responsibility. I can proudly say that I bore my brother’s educational expenses and built a house of my own. It gives me a great sense of independence and satisfaction when I know I can make a difference in my community and family to begin with,” she said.
In 2008, Amina decided to become a carpenter and she joined AKCSP (Aga Khan Cultural Service Pakistan) Ciqam project which was aimed to impart technical skills such as carpentry, masonry and plumbing to girls.
“When I started carpentry people made fun of me and gossiped about me that I was wasting my time” said Amina. “People admire you when you give proof and I have done that,” she said.
Once mocked by the community and society, Amina now excels at what she does. Her self-constructed house mainly made of wood has become a spectators’ spot. According to her, her fame increased after she showcased her skills in the construction of Mulaqqat Lounge Hunza.
“Carpentry is an art and I feel very proud when I design something. It has developed confidence in me and taught me life skills,” She said.
An ordinary girl who never stepped out of her area got national and international exposure in a very short span of time. She got a chance to work in the renovation of famous Khaplu fort and Shigar fort. Amina also worked as carpenter for some brand names such as Serena Hotels. In 2014, she got an opportunity to visit Norway for further training.
“I am considered as a trend setter in Hunza. I am self-made but I have challenged the status quo and have eased the path for many other girls. Now highly educated girls of Hunza are embracing carpentry as profession and make a living from it.” she said.
“I have not only become a role model for girls who want to pursue carpentry as a profession but managed to convince many girls to opt for this unconventional field. Now more than 90 girls of Hunza Valley are learning carpentry while many others have pursued it as a career” said Amina. She made an example and proved that women can work as well as the men.
“I believe that women and men are equal. There is nothing which a woman cannot do,” She said
She not only made a living through carpentry but she also proved the concept of gender roles to be wrong. She said that girls prefer desk job but she enjoys the field work more where products are fixed in buildings.
“I have never thought of quitting carpentry. It is a dignified profession.” She said
Amina is now mother of a two year old baby but her commitment and dedication for work has not been affected by being a mother and a wife. Her family is now in a financially stable position but she has never thought of quitting this job.
She is optimistic about her future and she mentioned that she wants to build her own carpentry school in Hunza for girls which will become a training hub. She hopes to empower many other girls like herself who are not fortunate enough to continue their studies.
“I am not stealing, begging or doing any wrong deed. I am working hard and there is no shame in it, she said.
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