Country boats in Bangladesh
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- 2 chapters
Related on Lably
Through Bangladesh, Oxbow lake and Boat
Rivers and boats are central to traditional Bengali culture and have long captivated generations of Bengali artists and poets.
Types
- Dingi (dinghy)
- Large boats
- Sampan, Balar
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Boat making
Wood is the most commonly used material. Traditionally, boats are made by carpenters who learn their skill through an apprenticeship. Seasoning of timber is important in boat making. Commonly used timbers come from local woods such as jarul (Dipterocarpus turbinatus), sal (Shorea robusta), sundari (Heritiera fomes), and Burma teak (Tectona grandis).
Preservation of craftsmanship
While wooden boats are still frequently used in Bangladeshi rural life, they are often mechanised, and the intricate craftsmanship involved in making these boats is largely underutilised. Very few steps are being taken to preserve these techniques, and among them is Friendship, whose cultural preservation sector is working with some of the last master craftsmen of wooden boats to recreate them, as well as record and research the history and techniques of boat-making. In 2006, Runa Khan Marre of Friendship was awarded a Rolex Award for Enterprise for her work in preserving traditional Bengali boat-building skills.