Bangladesh has a rich history of weaving. The weavers of Bengal have been mentioned in the travel stories of the 7th century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang and13th century Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Handloom weaving occupied a special place as a cottage industry not only in the country but also in foreign trade during the pre-British period. The weavers created a unique pattern in weaving by acquiring skills through inheritance.
However, things have nowadays changed a lot. People no longer want to take weaving as a profession. The number of weavers is decreasing day by day in the country. Between 2003 and 2018 the number of handloom weavers, reduced reportedly by more than 215,000 in the country. At the same time, the number of people engaged in weaving has decreased by 571,800. As a percentage, it is about 64 per cent. In the evolution of time, our ancient handloom weaving industry is getting lost in this way.
Immediate measures have to be taken immediately by the government if we want to protect handloom weavers and the industry. Otherwise, it may go extinct. This requires proper patronage, business planning and public-private cooperation. Further expansion of the weaving industry requires a relatively protected internal market, prevention of entry of illicit textiles, necessary training in weaving textiles, design diversification, credit cooperation, marketing of weaving products and special measures to expand the market. In fact, if these steps are taken and implemented, it is hoped that the weaving industry will be able to regain its lost glory. The industry can also be saved by forming a board or association and organising exhibitions at home and abroad.
Mahedi Hasan Arnob,
Student of Government Titumir College, Dhaka,
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