Culture, Crafts and Development of Bangladesh

by Barry Ison

A love for Bangladesh and a strong motivation to assist poor communities in developing their own employment and income generation are two of the driving forces that have kept me working in Bangladesh since 1977. Born in India of parents working in Faridpur (East Bengal), I have been in this part of the world for over 30 years.

After qualifying as a teacher trained for working in non-English speaking countries, I worked in Papua New Guinea. One of the subjects I taught was Expressive Arts, including textile and graphic design, oral history, creative writing and music. Much of my time was spent in arranging major events and production of design and fine art to raise funds to increase the quality of equipment and resources in departments where I taught.

In 1977, I began working with HEED Bangladesh as their economic development specialist. HEED was working among the people of Chalna, Kamalganj and internally displaced people in Dhaka refugee camps. During that time, I started HEED Handicrafts with its marketing outlet, Shetuli. I also helped to set up Aarong, which is now run by BRAC.

That period was a great time of cooperation and positive re-enforcement between the pioneers of what is now a thriving cottage industry and handicraft business in Dhaka with producer groups throughout the country.

The first serious input into the handloom (and ethnic minority) textile industry came through HEED Handicrafts when I recruited Eva from the UK, who was a textile design specialist. Between my designing and textile background and Eva’s highly developed weaving skills, cotton cloth and products became a feature for customers visiting Shetuli. The weaving of the ethnic minority groups in the North East (Mymensingh), the East (Sylhet) and the Chittagong Hill Tracts region were a major feature of HEED’s textile development of that time.

In 1985, an Australian friend working with the Mandi people of northeast Bangladesh convinced me that Mandi women needed a source of income generation. That became the beginning of IDEAS. It was principally through IDEAS that the major impact on textile and carpet development in Bangladesh took place. By the time IDEAS ceased to function 14 years later, it was selling and exporting large quantities of silk.

Many local shops sprung up selling cotton and silk around Dhaka. IDEAS designed and wove its silk fabrics by visiting and working with the weaving villagers. Later, the businessmen and patrons of silk weaving villagers brought their own products to Dhaka and set up many showrooms that one can see today.

Today, I am working with The Craft Centre. This time it has been set up as a business. Through past experience, I felt that NGO-run businesses often do not truly reflect or operate on sustainable business principles.

Bangladesh has the potential of becoming a major producer of hand made products. Many of its neighbors have resorted to making traditional items by machines; textile, bamboo, wood and embroidery. Bangladeshi producers are hard working, very teachable and highly skilled. It would be very helpful if the Government were to develop programmes to promote this potential within the country as well as internationally.

Already some donors are assisting the small private sector entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. Additional assistance from the donor and private sector would enhance this essential element of business that is believed to represent 40 million producers throughout the country.

In the days when a small number of national and international pioneers decided to develop the handmade and traditional skill sector, individuals and agencies would work closely together to develop new groups. Communications and relationships were harmonious and constructive.

The key focus was to help poor communities, and in particular to provide women with an employment and income source. A return to those work ethics today would result in many more poor communities becoming the reason why these programs are so necessary and important.

Let us hope some more positive dialogue can be developed, not forgetting that there is a group of pioneers from the 1970s still working in this field, who are very willing and accessible to assist in the overall development of this vital sector.