Rakhine weavers busy

When Kuakata's coast dons its foggy, winter cloak, tourists visiting from at home and abroad likewise search for extra clothing layers. They want to keep warm. Winter is a season that has Rakhine weavers and traders across Patuakhali and Barguna districts busy, trying to make the most of the increased, tourist-driven demand.

“Many tourists are buying warm clothes this season,” says Mong Khey, a Rakhine weaver from Kuakata's Misreepara. “The winter demand is above and beyond normal sales; and it helps a lot since for some Rakhine families, handloom weaving is their sole income source.”

Orders from local shopkeepers are increasing year after year, according to Khey. “Last year I produced about 300 clothing items for the winter season,” she says. “This year I have already supplied around 500 different items.”

“Wholesalers are our main buyers,” explains another local weaver Mong Mong. “They buy woven goods direct from our houses. Tourists also favour our products and there are around one hundred different shops in the Kuakata area that sell them.”

Shawls, mufflers, scarves and sweaters are particularly popular in winter, while saris, shirt cloth, Punjabis, lungis, sheets, gumchhas, towels, bags and neckties hold enduring appeal. Along with Kuakata, Rakhine textiles are also readily available in Taltali and Amtali areas of neighbouring Barguna district.

“Customers like the bright colours and stylish designs and patterns,” says Usit Mong, a Rakhine resident of Agathaorepara in Barguna's Taltali upazila. “We use Myanmar cotton which is attractive and comfortable.”

“I came to Kuakata with my family of four,” says Jhenidah resident Md Rezaul Karim, “and we bought some warm clothes; and also saris, lungis and bed sheets because of their unique designs and patterns. Rakhine woven clothes are really comfortable to wear.”

While traditional looms were once the standard, nowadays semi-automatic looms have radically changed the business, thanks to the local NGO Resource Development Foundation.