About Us
Qissakhwani draws inspiration from the historic Bazaar of Storytellers, where cultures met and traditions traveled.Qissakhwani is a cultural heritage brand inspired by the traditions of Qissa Khwani Bazaar, offering handmade shawls, jackets, carpets, and traditional handicrafts rooted in Pakistani craftsmanship.
Qissakhawani draws its ethos and identity from the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the Storytellers’ Market of the Silk Road in present day Peshawar, Pakistan. Situated along ancient trade routes, it was a crossroads where merchants, artisans, and travelers exchanged not only goods but also ideas, stories, and cultural traditions.
Inspired by this legacy, we extend the spirit of exchange into the modern world. Our enterprise connects and empowers artisans across Africa, Asia, and beyond, opening new pathways for trade, cultural collaboration, and shared creativity. We provide a platform for craftsmen and women to showcase their heritage globally, encouraging and developing the cross-fertilization of techniques, stories, and traditions.
We believe craftsmanship is culture — and culture deserves to travel.
Our enterprise extends this legacy by creating new trade and cultural bridges between Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.
- Connect artisans to new regional markets
- Enable cross-border learning and collaboration
- Amplify heritage storytelling through craft
- Build sustainable, professional value chains
We turn centuries of tradition into modern global opportunity.
BRAND HISTORY
Qissakhawani was founded by a humanitarian worker who spent 25 years serving communities across the globe through supply chain excellence. During her work across multiple continents, she gained deep insight into the richness of local cultures, traditions, and artisanal heritage.
Along the way, she witnessed a troubling pattern: many of these cultural treasures remain confined to their local regions, and the artisans behind them often lack access to wider markets. In many cases, middlemen exploit their talent, leaving them underpaid and undervalued.
In today’s global economy dominated by mass-produced goods, countless artisans are excluded from global marketplaces. As appreciation for handcrafted traditions weakens, many unique art forms face the risk of disappearing altogether. The natural loss of such skills would mean losing irreplaceable expressions of identity, history, and creativity.
She recognised the need not just to revive, but to sustain, celebrate, and evolve these art forms ensuring they remain relevant, appreciated, and preserved for future generations through innovation and meaningful growth. Qissakhawani was created to answer that need.
Its purpose is to connect and empower artisans and their communities by opening access to fair, global markets; by celebrating authenticity and craftsmanship; and by partnering with
organisations skilled in community development and sustainable growth. Qissakhawani stands as a bridge, honouring heritage while creating a future where artisans can thrive, innovate, and share their stories with the world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to build a trusted marketplace and brand platform where handcrafted goods, artisan traditions, and cultural stories can travel across regions, reaching customers who value authenticity, rarity, and artistry. We aim to connect artisans across Africa and Asia by providing equitable access to markets, fostering cultural exchange, and enabling them to share their heritage with the world.
We are committed to promoting quality and professionalism in the craft, and to conducting all trade with integrity, transparency, and respect for the makers behind every piece.
Inspired by the historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, the Storytellers’ Market of the Silk Road, we carry forward its legacy of exchange and creativity. Qissakhawani exists to open new pathways for collaboration, cultural storytelling, and shared craftsmanship.
Our Vision
A world where artisan craft is recognised as both cultural memory and economic opportunity. Qissakhawani aims to build a premium global brand that bridges continents and strengthens the visibility, dignity and sustainability of traditional craft industries.
To co-create a sustainable future where artisans across continents thrive through fair access, cultural exchange, and shared innovation. We aspire to build value chains rooted in professionalism, quality, and authenticity, producing and sharing goods that reflect thousands of years of tradition, evolution, and artistic identity.
Inspired by the resilience and heritage of Qissa Khwani, we are committed to nurturing a global marketplace where stories travel freely, cultures meet with dignity, and craftsmanship becomes a bridge between people and continents.
International shipping on all US order or order above $200
Contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
We ensure secure payment with PEV
Voices from Across the World
From artisans to collectors, hear how Qissakhawani connects people through craft, culture, and shared stories.