A woman in Kathalbari, located in Kurigram Sadar upazila, is engaged in crafting items made from bamboo. Photo: Messenger
Bamboo craft artisans in Kurigram are facing economic hardships, as reflected in the weakened markets, or haats, where they display their products. These artisans are often seen waiting for potential customers, hoping to make a sale and improve their financial situation.
The impact of reduced sales is evident in their families' lifestyles, as many bamboo craft artisans resort to taking loans from neighbours to make ends meet. Some are even contemplating traveling to Dhaka in search of better earning opportunities during these challenging times.
During a recent visit to Kathalbari Haat in Kurigram Sadar upazila, artisans shared their struggles, revealing that they experience financial difficulties during the non-harvesting months, namely the periods between Boro (April-June) and Aman (July-September) crops.
Typically, these artisans create a variety of bamboo products, such as fishing equipment, cages, poultry bird enclosures, pots, trays, fans, baskets, hats, and more. However, their sales are closely tied to agricultural activities, with peak demand occurring during crop harvesting periods.
Mukul Chandra Das, a bamboo craft artisan, explained, “We maintain our families through making bamboo handicrafts as we have no cultivable land. This is one of our permanent jobs for our Hindu Dash community.”
The products, crafted from ‘Makla’ bamboo variety, are primarily used in agro-based activities. During busy harvesting times, they struggle to meet the high demand and sometimes end up selling products at double rates. Mukul mentioned that during peak seasons, they could sell agro-based products worth up to Taka 75,000 every market day.
Sumon Chandra Das, another artisan, highlighted the dependence of his entire family on the bamboo craft business, with everyone except the baby involved in the production process. They sell their products in various local markets to sustain their livelihoods.
Kalpona Rani Das, who lives in a hut beside the Kurigram-Rangpur highway, expressed the generational involvement of her family in bamboo crafting. However, she lamented the economic challenges faced due to reduced sales.
Radha Rani Das, wife of another artisan, Karendra Taroni Das, shared the financial strain on her family, revealing, “Now the bamboo products are not being sold every day. Sometimes we take a meal once a day.”
Sarswati Rani Das emphasised the commonality of artisans taking loans to survive tough times, expressing a desire for government support in the form of low-interest loans for their handicraft businesses. She believes that access to government loans could bring solvency to her family and others facing similar challenges in the bamboo craft industry.
The bamboo craft artisans in Kurigram are grappling with economic difficulties, impacting their families and traditional craft businesses. Government initiatives to provide financial support, especially during lean periods, could alleviate the struggles faced by these artisans and contribute to the sustainability of their craft.
Efforts to provide training programs or workshops to enhance their craft skills, marketing assistance to reach broader audiences, and creating a conducive environment for the bamboo craft industry to thrive can further contribute to the economic well-being of these artisans. As they navigate these challenging times, the resilience of these craftsmen stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and supporting traditional crafts for the cultural and economic enrichment of communities.
Messenger/Fameema
