A proud heritage of Chittagong Hill Tracts


Khagrachari, January 23, 2007 : The 13 minor indigenous communities of Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have a deep rooted culture. One of these is weaving. Most of the women, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Rakhain, Tanchangya, Khumi, Banjughi and Bome, have the expertise to weave cloth. Their products include khaddar chadar, sari, bedcover, warm clothes and decorative household items. In fact, in some communities the skill of weaving is considered as the most essential criterion for marriage.

While cotton has to be collected from at least 150 local markets in the three hill districts of Khagrachhari, Rangamati and Banderban, the locals have the requisite machines (both handloom and waist loom) to weave cloth. By and large the machines are crafted out of local bamboo and wood. There are 20 handloom-based textile enterprises in the CHT, all located in Rangamati district while at least 50,000 waist loom based textile enterprises dot the three hill districts

After making clothes, bedcovers, bags or other handicrafts, the indigenous people stop by at local institutions such as Boyon, Hill Fashion, Banarashi, Paharika and Bain to sell their products.

"One full day goes into producing two bedcovers which we weave from 1kg cotton," said Konika Chakma, from Perachhara under Khagrachhari sadar upazila. Besides this they also make at least three handbags per day.

"Many rootless families have maintained their households through weaving. The small enterprises have boosted their confidence and given them financial strength," said Dr Sudin Kumar Chakma, a retired principal of Khagrachhari Government College.