I’m from the pothowar region of punjab, and im honestly frustrated by what i saw at J. today.
I went to buy kheri a footwear style that has been a part of our punjabi heritage for centuries. But when I checked the price tag, the brand had it labeled as a "Peshawari Chappal."
The Kheri has its own distinct shape, history, and craftsmanship that belongs to our region of Punjab. By slapping a "Peshawari" label on it for better marketing (which was done by peshawari traders in past), these brands are slowly erasing the specific identity of Pothowari punjabi craft. Our culture isnt a monolith. If u r going to profit off our traditional designs, at least have the decency to call them by their actual name. Has anyone else noticed this happening with other regional crafts?
Edit: alot of people asking for proofs:\
The strongest historical proof lies in H.G. Raverty’s 1860 Pashto Dictionary.Raverty records the terms "Chaplí" and "Kheṛ" as being borrowed from Punjabi.
British colonial records (Gazetteers) from the 1800s specifically document the Kheri being worn in the Attock, Jhelum (including Chakwal), and Rawalpindi districts.
There is a limestone ridge in Rawalpindi historically called "Khairimar" (The Sandal Breaker). It was named this because the terrain was so rough it would destroy the soles of travelers' Kheris. This name existed long before modern marketing.