Once a thriving symbol of rural heritage, traditional bamboo and cane craft industry in Sapahar upazila of Naogaon district is now on the brink of extinction, driven by the rapid rise of modern, mass-produced materials such as plastic, melamine and aluminum.
For generations, bamboo and cane items served as essential household, agricultural and commercial tools across rural Bangladesh. Cane was cultivated in open fields, while bamboo groves were common beside homesteads and unused land.
However, increasing population pressure and expanding housing needs have led to the disappearance of bamboo groves, resulting in acute shortages of raw materials. Cane plants, once easily found, are now nearly absent, making this artisanal craft increasingly difficult to sustain.
The widespread availability, durability and low cost of plastic and other synthetic products have sharply reduced demand for bamboo- and cane-made goods.
Traditional items; such as chatai, mora, khola, baskets, winnowers and decorative household products, have largely vanished from both homes and markets, surviving only as occasional displays at rural fairs.
Rising bamboo prices and dwindling cane supplies have pushed artisans to hike prices, resulting in dwindling sales. “Cane work is almost gone,” said craftsman Naran Topy. “Even bamboo products don’t sell well because they’re too costly to produce.”
Local vendors echo the same concern. Khagen, a long-time bamboo and cane product seller, said, “People have shifted to plastic and aluminum items. The demand has fallen so much that we are struggling to continue this business, yet it’s hard to leave a trade we have relied on for years.”
Consumers also acknowledge that traditional bamboo and cane products have become costlier and less suited to modern needs.
Older residents remember when bamboo and cane crafts were a regular part of life in the villages, making everything from household tools and furniture to decorative items. Now, they look on with worry as this centuries-old tradition slowly disappears.
“If no one acts quickly, our children and grandchildren may never get to see or learn these skills,” they say.
Local artisans and community members are calling on authorities and stakeholders to take action; by encouraging bamboo and cane cultivation and supporting traditional craftsmen, so that this cultural heritage can survive for future generations.
JAM/AM
