Five African countries` handicrafts coming to Dilli Haat

New Delhi: Eighteen African craftswomen from five African countries will participate in Dastkari Haat Samiti`s annual crafts bazaar, starting at Dilli Haat Jan 1. They are expected to bring the best of their handicrafts.

According to Jaya Jaitly, president of Dastkari Haat Samiti -- an association of crafts people founded in 1986 -- the collaboration will result in long term friendships and provide unique inputs to the crafts sector while enhancing economic well-being and diplomatic ties at the ground level. Dastkari Haat Samiti will complete 25 years this year and to mark the occasion, the organisation has invited representative from Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda and Rwanda to participate in Handcrafting Promises -- a platform to interact, learn, appreciate and expose themselves to India`s traditional crafts and its dynamism. Apart from African countries, the event will also see 190 craftspeople from the villages, towns and cities of various parts of India showcasing talent and traditions in a never-seen-before avatar. The Indian craftsmen will display ringal bamboo and aipan painting; embroideries from Bihar; fine hand ari, gabba and old floor covering from Kashmir; Ajamgarh`s pottery; Lambani embroidery from Karnataka; patch work from Gujrat and Rajasthan; and camelbelt weaving demo and teaching from Ahmedabad. IANS