The making of Namde is a rare and unique craft wherein splendid floor pieces are made from wool by the practice of felting the wool rather than weaving it, giving a unique texture

Kashmir is famous for its crafts across the world and one such craft is Namde. Namde is a form of matting. It is used as a bed cover and mattress. However, Namde finds most of their use in the form of traditional matting, spread on the floor to adorn houses.

The making of Namde is a rare and unique craft wherein splendid floor pieces are made from wool by the practice of felting the wool rather than weaving it, giving a unique texture.

In earlier times, Namde was a household name in Kashmir. People would make and use Namde which was mostly used in the winter months.

Namde is widely thought to have originated in the 11th century during the reign of Mughal emperor Akbar. The history of the period reveals that Akbar ordered his exchequer to arrange for a suitable cover for his horse affected by biting cold.

However, over the past 20 years, the use of Namde has declined. It was recently listed as an 'Identifiable endangered craft of India.’ The decline in the craft is reflected in the fall in its exports, which fell by almost 100 per cent between 1998 and 2008.

Every Kashmiri household has a culture of sitting on the floor. The floor gets cold during the winter months. Namde comes to the rescue. Namde is a premier part of home furnishings in the valley and even beyond.

Like most of the other crafts that are part of Kashmiri cultural heritage, the art of Namde making was brought to Kashmir by the Sufi saint Shah-e- Hamdan.

The market for Namde is located in many places in Kashmir. Namde craft continues to serve as a sole source of income for many artisans in the Valley.

The Namde industry has seen highs and lows. It saw an outstretched period of the boom when it became an internationally lauded marvel of interior designing. Kashmir became the exporter of Namde to Europe and Japan. This was the golden era for the Kashmiri Namde craftsmen.