Borni village: Where bamboo crafts tell the story of skill and heritage

Quality bamboo crafts are usually difficult to come by and finding a destination with an extensive selection of choices can be even more elusive. Hence, if you are in pursuit of such a place, let us recommend a trip to Borni, a village in Tangail.

Nestled within the Delduar upazila of Tangail, Borni is a village well-known for producing a variety of bamboo crafts. The majority of Borni village residents are engaged in various forms of bamboo craftsmanship, rendering bamboo products readily accessible. However, there is no retail store but a number of workshops around the village that offer products as well as a glimpse of the production line.

As the practised hands of one of the craftsmen kept weaving intricate designs out of bamboo slats, Md Nurunnabi, the owner of one of the largest workshops, described the nature and scope of the business.

"We employ three distinct bamboo varieties in our craft: Talla, Muli, and Raja bamboo," he explained, "but the Talla bamboo is the most prized one for quality products." Most of these bamboos are sourced from local markets, but the Raja bamboos are usually purchased from Mymensingh.

Md Nurunnabi has been in the bamboo craft business for the last 34 years and without any hesitation about his aspirations, he openly expressed his desire for his son to carry on this business as well.

In his own words, "The business is good. It has been flourishing particularly well since the COVID-19 pandemic." Before the pandemic hit, the majority of his products were exported to Europe but the restrictions that came after opened a similarly profitable domestic market.

"We didn't even consider the local market for our products before," he added with a smile, "but now we take large orders from supermarkets." Further questions on the business reveal that most products that come from Borni village are from three major vendors — Abdul Karim, Shah Alam, and himself.

Md Nurunnabi's workshop typically sustains a workforce of around 20 employees, which may expand to as many as 70 or more during peak demand periods. The other two workshops maintain a similar level of manpower, collectively serving as a major source of employment for the community. 

Visitors looking for quality bamboo wares can find here a large variety of products ranging from baskets of different shapes and sizes to fruit bowls, jewellery boxes, hampers, ladles, mugs, pen-holders, trays and a lot more! This vast array of products comes with price tags that offer something for every budget.

Most baskets are available within the range of Tk 200 to 450, with the exception of laundry baskets, which may fetch around Tk 600. For fruit bowls, trays and jewellery boxes, the cost varies based on size, typically falling between Tk 250 and 500. Mugs and pen holders are quite affordable, priced in the range of Tk 100 to 150. Spoons and ladles are even cheaper, with a price tag of Tk 50 to 100. For those seeking unique show pieces, select items are available, spanning from Tk 300 to 800, depending on the intricacy of their design.

However, the most notable product is undoubtedly the lamp shades and the sheer range of choices available is quite astonishing, to say the least. Every workshop is adorned with stacks of lampshades, each featuring its unique design. It's no wonder that Md Nurunnabi confirms, "The lion's share of our orders revolves around lampshades, making them the best-sellers in our inventory." The price of these shades usually starts at Tk 400 and may reach as high as Tk 1200.

Regarding the future challenges of this cottage industry, a unanimous agreement emerges among those involved: the primary challenges are the scarcity of skilled artisans and the absence of modern machinery. Md Nurunnabi elaborated on this issue, stating, "Most of the skilled craftsmen have either passed away or are now in their twilight years, with no resources available for training new talent."

Echoing this sentiment, a craftsman also added, "Sometimes the workload is too much and we fall behind schedule, resulting in failure to fulfil orders in the allocated period." These challenges mark the pressing need for skill preservation and technological advancement to ensure the industry's sustained vitality. 

For those considering a journey to this secluded village, whether it's for bamboo crafts or any other purpose, the route is simple: hop on a bus headed for Tangail and get off at Baui Khola. From there, an auto-rickshaw ride can lead you to your destination.