Blacksmithing is a profitable profession, but it is a dying art with very few showing interest to forge a living from it. Darjay Wangchuk from Threlphu under Kangpar in Trashigang is the only blacksmith in the community. He has been practising the art for the last 15 years. Today, his skill is in high demand and he earns about Nu 50,000 annually. However, he fears that the art will die with him.
The father of four, 48-year-old Darjay Wangchuk spends most of his time in a makeshift workshop forging household tools out of metal pieces. He makes sickles, knives, traditional swords and spade, among others. According to him, he learnt the skills in his childhood days from his parents. And the skill is helping him make a living today.
“I could make Nu 2,000 a day but I can’t work here every day as I need to attend to other works too. Whatever I earn from this, I spend it on household expenses and my children’s education,” he said.
With a blacksmith in the community, people in Kangpar can easily get most of the household and farm tools from Darjay. However, it won’t be long before they have to travel beyond their community to avail themselves of the same services as there is no one showing interest to take up the art.
“I have been asking the youth in the village to learn the skills, but no one is interested. There won’t be any blacksmith here in the future. People in the village are already worried that they won’t be able to repair their tools if I am not here,” he added.
He said in the past he has to go from door to door to sell his products, but today people visit his home to buy the tools instead. He sells most of his products within Trashigang.
Sonam Darjay, Trashigang
Edited by Sonam
