Salampur (Islampur) Shawls
Islampur village, 12 km south of Saidu Sharif
Islampur (locally called Salampur) is the woolen-shawl capital of Swat. Almost every household runs a handloom. The village has been weaving woolen shawls, blankets and dhussa for over 200 years using wool from local sheep and dyes prepared on site.
What to buy
- Pure-wool dhussa shawl (gent's wrap)
- Pashmina-blend ladies' shawl
- Patti (raw woven wool by the meter, used for waistcoats)
- Cotton-wool blended summer shawls
Fair price
PKR 1,200 to 8,000 depending on wool grade and weave
Where to buy
Islampur Shawl Bazaar (whole village is the bazaar). Buy directly from a weaver's house, not the roadside stalls in Mingora that mark up 2-3x.
Local tip: Visit on Friday morning when looms are running. Ask to see the shuttle being thrown so you know it's hand-woven, not power-loomed.
