Diminished bamboo handicrafts industry in Arakan State verges on extinction, locals say

10 Jan 2023

DMG Newsroom
10 January 2023, Sittwe

The bamboo handicrafts industry is fading and may one day be non-existent in many Arakan State townships, locals have warned.

One reason for the growing scarcity of bamboo handicrafts is that there are technical requirements to continuing to create high-quality products, and those skill sets are being met by fewer and fewer handicrafters. There is also a lack of interest in handicrafts among young people, and a dwindling number of buyers and users.

“As the number of people who buy handicrafts is low, there are many difficulties for people like us who make a living by making small handicrafts,” U Tun Tha, a bamboo handicraft maker in Mrauk-U Township, told DMG.

“When knowledgeable young people are not interested in connecting with handicrafts, the ability to innovate handicrafts is weakened,” he added. “The main thing is that bamboo cracks over time and the inside of the bamboo becomes mouldy. We are still in the process of learning how to solve this.”

In the past, bamboo handicrafts could be seen in many parts of Arakan State — primarily taking the forms of bamboo-based rattan baskets, home decorations, bamboo containers and consumer goods — but these products are increasingly hard to find.

“In the past, I always saw bamboo utensils being sold in the markets,” said Ko Myat Min Kyaw, a resident of Sittwe. “When I went on a pilgrimage to Mrauk-U, I saw rattan souvenirs being sold before. Lately, I haven’t seen any bamboo handicrafts. For whatever reason, the bamboo handicraft industry seems to be disappearing.”

Ko Khaing Myat, a resident of Mrauk-U, said that most of the bamboo handicrafts found in Arakan State now come from Ayeyarwady and Bago regions, and there are few local bamboo handicrafts found in the market.

“People from Bago and Ayeyarwady regions sell handicrafts at pagoda festivals in Arakan State,” he added. “We can no longer see bamboo handicrafts from Arakan State. When we were young, if we saved money, we’d put it in small bamboo cans. Lately, we are in a position where we can’t even find such handicrafts.”