As the season for harvesting date palm sap and producing molasses approaches each November, the demand for earthen pots rises significantly. In anticipation, potters in Dehati village, Jibannagar, are now immersed in the busy work of crafting these essential containers.
On-the-spot visits reveal that potters in various parts of the village are making pots from a mixture of clay and water. The finished pots are being dried in the sun and then baked to make them suitable for storing sap. The use of modern technology and designs is making the pots more attractive.
Nitai Pal, a potter from Dehati village, says, "October to December is the peak three-month season for making pots. I can make 50 to 70 pots daily. I sell pots for storing sap for 30 taka each, and pots for storing molasses sell for 40 taka. In three months, I can sell pots worth one and a half to two lakh taka. The cost is about 50 to 60 thousand taka." He further informs, "Growers from various areas come to buy our pots at wholesale and retail prices. 5 to 10 laborers work here to make the pots."
Laborer Gopal says, "I work from 6 am to 1 pm. I get a daily wage of 500 to 600 taka. I am doing well with my five-member family by doing this work."
Another laborer, Anandopal, says, "I work firing the pots. I work from 6 pm to 6 am and get a wage of 700 to 800 taka. With the income from this work, I am happy with my family."
Ananta Kumar Pal says, "The once traditional pottery of Jibannagar upazila is now on the verge of extinction. In this era of civilization, as people have lost interest in clay products, many potter families have left their ancestral profession, and currently, only 25 potter families are barely surviving here. At one time, the pottery of Jibannagar was famous in Chuadanga, Meherpur, and Jhenaidah districts, as well as in surrounding areas. With the decline in the practice of pottery over time, the potter community has lost interest in this profession. Due to the slump in their ancestors' primary profession, over two hundred renowned potter families from Dehati, Kheyerhuda, Andulbaria, and Manoharpur villages in the upazila have left this profession and moved to other professions. In this era of silver, plastic, and rubber, 21 families in Jibannagar are still barely surviving in this profession, struggling against adverse times."
Uttam Kumar Pal says, "Most people are leaning towards plastic and rubber goods. People are turning away from clay-made pots, pans, and other daily necessities. Although potters used to make daily necessities like pots, pans, pitchers, and plates from clay, currently, the demand for these items is almost nonexistent. Now they are making and marketing clay flower tubs, children's toys, and various types of decorative art objects."
Locals inform that pot-making is one of the traditional professions of Dehati village. When the season for collecting date palm sap approaches, life returns to this profession throughout the village.
Jibannagar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Al Amin says, "This is an old tradition that is fading away with the passage of time. If there is any opportunity for assistance from our upazila administration, we will definitely stand by them."
