Buffalo carts remain vital in Kushtia’s grasslands

In the Char areas of Bheramara Upazila in Kushtia district, "buffalo carts" remain the primary mode of transportation for thousands of residents.The necessity for these carts persists, as they serve as the sole means for passengers and goods to traverse the high and low, winding sandy paths across the expansive grasslands of the Padma River.

While cow and buffalo carts have become increasingly rare in recent times, these vehicles represent a fading tradition of Bengal's captivating beauty.Nowadays, these bullock carts find mention only in the pages of newspapers and books, though they can still be spotted in the grazing villages of the upazila. Those who drive these carts are known as "Gariyals."

There was a time when bullock and buffalo carts were the primary means of transportation for people, whether it was for weddings or visiting relatives' homes.However, this traditional mode of transport appears to be fading into obscurity. It's a rare sight in village streets nowadays, and encountering one might not even prompt a selfie.For the current generation, any memories associated with buffalo carts evoke a sense of nostalgia, as these carts hold a significant place in the history and stories of the past.

Speaking with Akhtar Ali, a buffalo cart driver from Nalua village in Juniadah union of Bheramara upazila, he shared, "I've been driving a buffalo cart for about nine years now. Currently, I use it for transporting sugarcane. I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this traditional practice, as it holds a rich history within Bengali culture. I plan to continue driving this traditional cart for as long as I'm able."

Many such scenes of buffalo carts can still be witnessed in the vast grasslands along the Padma river in Bheramara upazila.Rabiul Islam Ravi, a buffalo cart driver from Raita Bahadurpur char, remarked, "We are farmers of the char. I've been driving buffalo carts for quite some time, primarily for agricultural purposes."

Nur Islam, from the Rayata area of the upazila, mentioned, "I use the buffalo cart to transport my crops and to visit the market."Khalil Ullah, principal of Bheramara Government College, noted that the sight of weddings being conducted on cow and buffalo carts was common in the past, but this cultural practice has now ceased.