The extraordinary art of traditional craftsmanship is proof of human skill and cultural heritage, which is slowly declining. We live in a world where speed and efficiency are adored, which is not present in traditional craftsmanship. Traditional craftsmanship is a very slow and deliberate process that requires physical work, such as the use of one’s hands. The advent of numerous industries and technological advancements has led to a decline in traditional craftsmanship.
Craftsmen like master woodworkers who made handcrafted furniture, to weavers who extraordinarily stitched textiles, these talents are traditions passed down through generations, which are now on the brink of extinction. This loss of tradition disconnects us from our history, community, and the idea that created this very creation as a purposeful and mindful act.
The Economic Challenge and Societal Shifts
The decline of traditional craftsmanship is due to its economic uncertainty. In this fast-paced global marketplace where the cost of products is less and they are produced in high numbers, handmade goods do not stand a chance, as they take a long time to be made and are expensive. Factories can make thousands of identical products in the time it takes an artisan to make one.
Traditional craftsmanship is a labour-intensive work which includes getting materials, preparing them, and spending long hours doing hard work, which makes it more expensive than the mass-produced product. This intense competition of cost and mass production makes the cost low for factories and makes it difficult for craftsmen to earn a bare minimum living for themselves. Since traditional handmade products are expensive, consumers move towards cheaper goods and more accessible options, making the craftsmen’s products low in demand and lowering their profit margins.
In recent times, societal values have shifted as well. The “throwaway culture” of consumers who value quantity over quality and trend over tradition. A mass-produced item is easily disposed of and replaced by another or the same mass-produced product.
In contrast to handcrafted products, they are built to last and often hold onto their enduring values and story. For younger generations, this hard work and the long years to master this craft do not seem as appealing as the instant gratification and higher wages that are offered by the service or tech industries. This generational gap in interest poses a threat to the very system of traditional handmade products, which has been sustained for centuries and is now declining. Soon, we will experience a loss of skill and expertise that can never be recovered.
Technology is a Catalyst for Good and Bad
Technology is always seen as an enemy to traditional craftsmanship, but in broader terms, its uses are more complex. The rise of industries during the Industrial Revolution did significant damage to traditional crafts, as the industrial manufacturing was very steady and fast. Machines like the spinning jenny and power loom made countless weavers and spinners jobless, making handmade textiles expensive rather than a necessity. The goal for the products was to be durable and unique, which shifted to producing cheap, uniform commodities.
However, technology has its pros as well in the 21st century, which helps in preservation and revival. The internet and digital marketplace gave artisans a new global platform to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers, and it shifted the dynamics of craftsmen, who had only relied on traditional marketplaces. Platforms like Etsy and social media sites like Facebook and Instagram allowed artisans to connect to their consumers on a different level and connect to a niche audience who valued authenticity and sustainability.
New technologies like 3D printing and computer-aided design (CAD) can assist artisans with continuous tasks or to create complex designs, helping them improve their own capabilities without replacing the human hand. The true challenge lies in finding balance where technology serves as a catalyst or a helper and not a replacement. Preserving the intricate art of crafting while making it economically feasible for the modern world.
Global Help to Preserve and Revitalise
People need to join hands together and understand the cultural and economic value of traditional crafts. Organisations, governments, and local communities need to come up with ideas and laws to safeguard them. The UNESCO convention, which safeguards the Intangible Cultural Heritage, for example, highlights the importance of protecting the knowledge and skills associated with traditional craftsmanship.
On a local level, putting emphasis on education, market availability, and community support can help in the long run. Organising workshops, apprenticeships, and building cultural centres to teach traditional skills to the newer generations, helping them connect to older generations and learn from them. Organising fair trade by non-profit organisations that work with the local artisans so that they receive fair wages for their work, which creates a sustainable livelihood for them. Pushing forward the “slow fashion” and “slow living” concept, which helps in renewing consumer interest in handmade and high-quality products that directly oppose mass consumerism. Supporting these ideas, initiatives, movements, and artisan communities, we can together preserve these art forms from going extinct.
Conclusion
The decline of traditional craftsmanship is a very complex issue, followed by economic pressure, modern technological disruption, and shifting cultural values. However, we are not here to talk about its demise, but to understand what is leading to its demise, and by supporting initiatives that promote and preserve the traditional art skills in the modern economy. The value of handicrafted products goes beyond their value or cost, and function; it becomes a symbol of history, human ingenuity, and is a direct link to our shared past.
Let us know your thoughts. If you have burning thoughts or opinions to express, please feel free to reach out to us at larra@globalindiannetwork.com.
