Youngsters losing interest in traditional bamboo industry

Wednesday, 24 July 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The younger generation of the bamboo craftsmen does not show much enthusiasm in continuing with their inborn skills, a recent survey has revealed. Their passion and desire are no longer visible. Couple with it, with the rising living costs most of the craftsmen, both young and old, are on the lookout for more lucrative occupations.

The survey has been conducted by the Department of Integrated Design of the University of Moratuwa prior to embarking on the project to assist these craftsmen to change their traditional designs to modern, more exciting designs under the design intervention in grassroot economies with the ‘Gamata Marketing’ concept of the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM). The survey was carried out among the craftsmen in Kuruwita and Yatiyantota. The survey also revealed that in spite of numerous hardships, yet there are a number of skilled craftsmen who are engaged in the industry and who seek help to save this valuable craft. The survey showed that the work of the traditional craftsmen is limited to a few conventional designs. The product range is monotonous having continued with the same products for long years introduced by the foreign craft advisors and consultants several decades ago. It was revealed that the National Craft Council has been working towards the development of the industry by training youngsters of the village, who, however, do not seem to show much interest. The survey team is of the opinion that novel ideas are most vital at the moment to enhance creativity and infuse more vibrancy to the bamboo products. A trendy approach is necessary to increase the number of participants in a program to revitalise the industry. The team is confident that by this means, even the youngsters who are seeking other avenues of employment as well as the house wives who seek more income can also be involved in the process. Thereby the industry can be uplifted and a sustainable market for the products created. It will open up opportunities for the craftsmen and build up a sustainable industry for future generations. The team also observed that at the heart of the project is the village craftsman, his lifestyle, attitudes and social inclinations. A few decades ago a typical village family had its own defined occupational structure. With the father and teenage son engaged in the ancient craft of bamboo weaving, the mother and daughter too engaged in weaving and the children participating in small scale production. Unfortunately this family occupational structure is now different, where daughters tend to leave to work in garment factories and other vocations due to financial difficulties, owing to the growing decline of the craft as a whole. Introducing new deigns with a successful marketing strategy leading to a profitable occupation would increase the passion and eagerness of the village craftsmen. It was revealed that the National Craft Council has been working towards the development of the industry by training youngsters of the village, who, however, do not seem to show much interest. The concept of design intervention in grassroot economies with the ‘Gamata Marketing’ seeks to enhance the traditional bamboo crafting industry to a higher level and thereby upgrade the life of bamboo crafting community by creating new markets and implement an aggressive marketing strategy.