CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2023
| Author | Mir, Zeeshan Hyder |
|---|---|
| Title | Precarious Labour And Value Negotiation: An Ethnography Of Pashmina Workers In Indian-Administered Kashmir |
| Summary | This thesis explores the intricate world of pashmina cloth production in Srinagar, Kashmir by shedding light on the lives and livelihoods of the people involved in crafting this renowned luxury fabric. Despite the global recognition of Kashmir’s pashmina, little is known about the labour-intensive processes and the challenges faced by those working to produce this fabric. In this thesis, I have made an attempt to fill this gap by doing an ethnography of pashmina weavers, spinners and embroiderers in Kashmir. The study investigates the precarious and marginalised lives of the pashmina weavers, specifically examining the effects of wage stagnation. I demonstrate how these conditions not only hinder upward socio-economic mobility but also contribute to the social exclusion and stigmatization of both the weavers and the craft itself. In addition to this, I also uncover the intricate dynamics surrounding the negotiations of value and labour power between different actors in the pashmina industry. Drawing on four months of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Srinagar, Kashmir, this thesis employs a combination of qualitative research methods. By amplifying the voices of the workers, this research provides insights into the socio-economic challenges, aspirations and value negotiations in the creation of pashmina, one of the world’s most expensive fabrics. |
| Supervisor | Markkula, Johanna; Dafinger, Andreas |
| Department | Sociology MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2023/mir_zeeshan.pdf |
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