Weaving about to go extinct at Barokhada union in Kushtia

JHENIDAH, Oct 4: Weaving is on the threat of extinction as almost all male weavers have switched to other professions at Barokhada union under Kushtia Sadar Upazila finding it hard to live through this profession.

The weavers said that they had turned away from their passion and love for the ancestral profession as they had been tired of struggling to cope up with living through it.

Abdul Montu (44) of Jugia Modhyapara village said, "Turing away from the paternal profession; I have become a van-puller but due to high-rise in the number of easy bikes and engine-driven rickshaw-vans in the area, people are no more interested to travel by van."

Md. Ashadul (35) of Jugia Bhatpara, now an easy bike driver said, "I had found it difficult to even earn my livelihood, let alone send my children to school and think of better life as I can earn maximum Tk 100 a day from weaving napkins."

Fazlur Rahman (70), a trader from the same area, who retails clothes like lungi, bed sheets and towels beside Mozompur rail line in Kushtia town, told this correspondent, "We are four brothers and three of us had hand-looms. However, as we could not afford to maintain our families with the income from weaving, we have come to different professions."

At present, female folks of the weaving community in the union are making financial contribution to families by weaving napkins, alongside doing household chores.

There are now around 250 and 100 hand-looms at Jugia and Barokhada villages respectively under the union whereas over 1,000 hand machines were in operation only in Jugia village in the mid 80's. Presently, the looms are being operated by women for making napkins (gamsa).

Rizia (43), wife of rickshaw-puller Ayub Ali, said, "My daughter-in-law and I weave napkins alongside doing household chores and contribute to maintenance of the family."

The price of thread has extensively gone up and one bundle of the item weighing 10 pounds including colour now costs me Tk 1600, said Rizia.

Another female weaver Halima said one 'thaan' (4 pieces) of napkins can be weaved a day if 8-9 hours is spent. Tk. 60-80 may be earned from the work, she added.

Traditional hand-looms of Jugia, the largest hand-loom village of Kushtia Sadar Upazila, are on the verge of extinction, said Abu Zafor, Director, The Co-operative Industrial Ltd, Kushtia.

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