In Monggar, efforts are underway to enhance villagers’ livelihoods and preserve the traditional art of bamboo crafting in Gongdu Gewog. A group of farmers formed a Dagsa Tsharzo Detshen, last year. The Queen’s Project Office is supporting the group which has 13 members.
The Queen’s Project Office supported Nu 1 M to construct a house and toilet in 2022 for Dagsa Tsharzo Detshen.
With the completion of the house last year, the villagers have started weaving bamboo baskets.
According to the villagers, they are learning the art of weaving bamboo to pass on the skills to the younger generation.
“We do not know how to weave it. As elders are also taking part, we thought of learning it from them. We thought that if we can learn together, we will be able to teach our skills to our children,” said Likey Tshewang, a member.
61-year-old Gembo Dorji along with a few elderlies teaches skills and techniques. They acquired the knowledge from their parents and elders in the village.
But they are worried as the younger generations are not interested in learning the art.
“We can only teach them according to their interest. These days, youth are interested in studying and not bamboo work. Therefore, they do not know the art of bamboo crafting,” said Gembo Dorji.
“I have started the crafting work with the hope to teach what I know and for the benefit of our children in the future. But they are not interested in learning it,” said Tashi Tenzin.
Currently, the group weaves three different sizes of baskets and the prices range from 550 to 750 ngultrum.
“If we can weave it, the income is good. The rates are fixed by the gewog, and we have different rates as per the sizes of the baskets. If we can weave, selling the product is not an issue. Our products will be taken by the Queen’s Project, and they asked us to make thousands of such products,” said Sonam Wangchuk, Chairperson of Dagsa Tsharzo Detshen.
The gewog administration also aims to support the group to keep it sustainable.
“It was provided by the Queen’s Project to us. If we are not able to come up with a good outcome, firstly, people might think that we do not value and respect traditions. Secondly, people here depend on bamboo crafting in the past. Therefore, we will keep it sustainable in the group,” said Tshewang Tobgyel, Gongdu Gup.
For now, the group is focusing on weaving baskets, but they are planning to produce different bamboo products in the future.
Karma Wangdi
Edited by Tshering Zam
