With the evolution of time and technological advancements, the traditional bamboo industry in the Bogura district is losing its appeal among consumers owing to falling demands.
Frequent use of various metal and plastic products is taking place bamboo-made goods which is called rural folk art.
In the old times, rural artisans used bamboo to make kula, chalun, topa, dala, khai chala, pakha, hocha, topa etc. for keeping chickens, rugs, cages, ladders, mats, baskets and other types of household items. However, such a scene is no longer seen in the localities as this industry is now on the verge of extinction.
A considerable number of traders who were involved with this traditional industry are on the decrease due to the lack of necessary patronage while their ancestral profession is currently under threat due to the widespread use of plastic products that significantly hampers the environment.
As the population grows, the artisans of this industry are changing their profession due to deforestation, low bamboo production, capital shortage, enterprise and not getting fair prices for the products, a number of bamboo artisans said.
They said that at one time when people got a little free time, they used to sit down to make bamboo lofts, ladders, mats, drums, baskets, doulas and other household items. Such a scene can no longer be seen in rural areas of the district.
Bamboo artisan Amol Mia under Kahaloo upazila said, “Hundred-year-old handicraft profession of my grandfather is about to witness its shutdown now.”
“Several families have been engaged in this profession in Pawgachha, Damkuri, Talora, Dawakola, Dholaher villages in the district,” he added.
“After the death of their ancestors, many of them left this profession to work as school teachers, some as village police, and some went to Dhaka to work in garments.” Said another artisan Gopal Chandra. “Maloh community was popular for their work in the cottage industry with bamboo, but many members of this community are also switching to other jobs,” he added.
There is no government initiative to overcome their hardship and bring back the prosperity of this industry, he said.
In spite of unbounded sufferings and hardships, a few families in some villages are still carrying on this ancestral profession such as Mohali family members, Amol said.
Earlier, large and medium size bamboo could be bought at Tk100-130. Now the same size is available at Tk200-250. About 7 cages can be made from one big bamboo in about two days while each cage is sold at Tk 50-80.
The artisans claim that the industry will be revived if they get government support and easy loan facilities. The fate of artisans in the region may change with the adoption of government and private initiatives focused on the bamboo industry, they insisted.
