Old profession revived with glory

Sreemon weaving lunghi on her handloom. PHOTO: STAR

Now she is 50. But the age is no problem for her.

She is now well off with over Tk 5,000 monthly earnings from weaving. She weaves 'lungi' (a traditional men's wear).

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She is among 120 women weavers like Rahela, Narma, Rokeya, Rashida, Khaleda, Bina, Shahida, Rubia and Fatema in Malithia village in Jhenidah district.

Malithia and nearby villages were once famous for weaning. But they had lost the glory as they left the profession due to due lack of capital and patronisation.

They are returning to their old profession, thanks to the initiative by ASA (Association for Social Advancement), an NGO.

Sreemon's poor husband Sanaullah could not leave any asset or land property for the family, she told this correspondent during a recent visit to her house at

"My daughters had to work as housemaids at others' houses due to poverty," she said.

She said a local NGO, ASA (Association for Social Advancement) trained her on weaving and gave a loan of Tk 12,000 in 1996. She started weaving 'lungi' on handloom. Each lunghi costs Tk 55 and is sold at Tk 80.

She supplies the product to wholesalers in Kumarkhali at Tk 660 per a dozen.

"Now I earn about Tk 5,000 a month. My five daughters are married," a smiling Sreemon said.

Rahela and her daughter had to live in extreme poverty as they were abandoned by her sons after the death of her husband five years back. ASA also brought good days for Rahela. ASA provided her Tk 8,000 for weaving. Now she earns Tk 4,000 a month.