Dhokra is a kind of hand woven jute mat which is widely used in Uttar and Dakshin Dinajpur. The weaving is done on home based looms. Jute, or the ‘Golden Fibre’, is the raw material used for making Dhokra mats. The fibre is regarded as one of the best gifts to mankind from Nature. Dhokra mats are beautifully woven from the fibre, which is extracted from locally grown shrubs.
Dhokra mat weaving is a common practice in almost every household and the weaving provides livelihood opportunities for scores of farmers and landless labourers.
The districts have many cultural and historical sites. Dakshin Dinajpur has a rich cultural history and still treasures the ruins that are the remnants of the rich past. Prominent among them are: Bangarh (one of the leading ancient and early-medieval cities of Eastern India was the capital city of the legendary demon king Bana or Banasur), a number of places in the district are associated Mahabharata. It is said that the Pandavas in incognito, took shelter in the palace of king Birat, ruins of which are seen at Bairhatta – a village in Harirampur PSA tank at Bairhata is still called Kichaka Kunda. Dehaband, an area full of mounds, about 15 km away from Birhatta is said to be the palace of Kichak. An ancient Shamibriksha (a tree unique in this region) stands at the entrance of the village, in which Nakula is said to have kept the arms of the Pandavas hidden.
The rich forests are home to several birds and fauna. Kulik Bird Sanctuary in Raigunj (Uttar Dinajpur) is home to birds like dove, bulbul, sparrow, king fisher, woodpeckers, owl, duck & cuckoo, can also be seen in large numbers. The migratory birds arrive from end of May to Ist week of July and depart from mid December to end of January. The nesting time is from July to August & egg laying from August to September. The flying training to the young ones is the best time to observe the birds, around October to November.
Detailed Process:
The fibres are extracted from home grown jute which is cut, soaked in water, left to season and then dried in the sun. The extract of the plants are then hand rolled in required dimension of strands. The rolled strands are dyed, sun dried and then used for weaving designs in the mats. Weaving process is then initiated in their home-made looms. The weaving starts with the setting up of the loom.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: Hand Rolling the Threads; Dying the Thread; Drying the threads; Rolling the threads into balls; Weaving
Parts of Looms: The loom is supported by two thick bamboo pieces which are fixed to the ground. The remaining parts (all made of wood) are:
• Kuponi: seating arrangement, fixed to the loom
• Jaal Kathi: Spindle shaped structure on which the strands of the fibre are arranged and are made to run sideways through the loom
• Dondor Kathi: a wooden lever which moves the fibre up and down during the weaving process
• Beong Kathi: used to make the weaving strong and firm
• Olangi Kathi: Helps in giving the finish to the mat
Women of the indigenous community, namely the Rajbanshis and the Polis are engaged in the weaving. The Rajbangshis are an ethnic group who are, according to a generally accepted theory, are ethnically and culturally related to the same ruling dynasty who ruled their land: the Koch kings. They belong to an ancient community originally from the ancient Koch Dynasty, and the name Rajbangshi literally means of Royal lineage.
They had traditionally been an agricultural community, cultivating mainly rice, pulses and maize and jute.
The community significant influence in the history of the region and has got a rich and vibrant past: there are many things to learn from this wonderful set of people.
The involvement with the craft has been successful in breaking gender barriers: the women who else wise were tucked in their homes are now going places and winning accolades for their creations.
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