While the art of Tsarzo or bamboo weaving is dying in other parts of the country, it is flourishing in Bjoka Gewog under Zhemgang Dzongkhag. It, In fact, has become the main source of income.
Norbu Lhamo, 44, learnt the art as a young girl. By the age of 12, she was contributing to her family income. Today, she not only runs her home but also sends her children to school with the money she earns from the sale of bamboo products.
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Tsarzo has been an important source of income since our parents’ time.”
Rinzin Wangchuk,
Resident,
Bjoka Gewog
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The gewog, in its earlier days, used to produce around nine products. But as demand grew, people began diversifying their products. Now, they make about 21 different products.
Yula and cane are used to make the handicraft products. The products are sold in Thimphu, Paro, Punakha and Bumthang.
Marketing of the products are done through community marketing group, sale centre in Bjoka and sometimes through fairs and exhibitions
A villager from Bjoka earns a minimum of Nu.25,000 a year from the sale of bamboo products.
Rinzin Wangchuk, who is into bamboo weaving, said they also do farming. “But there are people who engage in bamboo weaving throughout the year. They earn between Nu.70,000-80,000 a year,” he said.
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Bjoka is one of the most remote gewogs under Panbang
Panbang is the nearest commercial town and administrative center for Bjoka
It takes more than 12 hours walk to reach Bjoka from Panbang
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To preserve the age old tradition of bamboo weaving and provide employment opportunity for the youth, an association of bamboo weaving has been formed in the gewog. Construction of a house for the association is also underway.
The association also plans to give Tsarzo training to the youth during winter vacation.
