Surging Heat and Power Shortages Revive Traditional Hand-Fan Industry in Kishoreganj Village
Photo Collected
In the remote Tekpara and Bormonpara villages of Kishoreganj’s Nikli upazila, a seasonal industrial shift has transformed daily life. As soaring temperatures and frequent power outages grip the region, more than 300 women have mobilized to meet a surging demand for traditional palm-leaf hand fans. What was once a small-scale cottage industry has become a lifeline for over a hundred families, earning the area the moniker of the “Village of Hand Fans.”
The craft is deeply rooted in local history, pioneered over five decades ago by artisans like Shuba Rani. What began as a trade practiced primarily by Hindu families has evolved into a cross-community endeavor, with Muslim women now playing an integral role. Today, households across these villages function as collaborative workshops, with women, children, and students working in tandem to slice, dry, weave, and dye palm leaves, reinforced by bamboo and cane frames.
বিজ্ঞাপন
For veteran artisan Archana Rani Sutradhar, who has spent 50 years in the trade, the evolution of the market is stark. While a hand fan once fetched a mere five taka, the current market price for a finished product ranges from 70 to 100 taka. Despite this nominal increase in value, the artisans report that rising costs for essential raw materials—including bamboo, cane, thread, and plastic—have severely compressed profit margins. For many, such as artisan Harecha Akter, the income remains vital, providing necessary funding for household expenses and the education of their children.
The villages have become a hub for wholesale trade, attracting buyers from as far as Narsingdi, Brahmanbaria, Comilla, and Sylhet. Arzu Mia, a wholesaler who recently sourced 1,500 fans from the area, plans to distribute them across the Sylhet and Dhaka divisions, where the cooling devices are in high demand. However, this commercial activity masks deep-seated concerns regarding the long-term viability of the craft.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Local educators and artisans warn that without government intervention, the escalating costs of production may eventually render this traditional industry unsustainable. Despite their essential role in the local economy, the craftswomen report they have yet to receive formal financial assistance or access to low-interest credit to scale their operations.
In response to the artisans’ plight, Nikli Upazila Executive Officer Rehena Majumder Mukti has acknowledged the struggle of these rural women. She stated that the administration intends to evaluate the situation to determine how best to provide government support to ensure the preservation of this traditional industry in the haor region.
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