With the Chhath festival approaching, the Dom community in various regions of the district, including Jaleshwor, Matihani, Pipara, Aurahi, Gaushala, and Ram Gopalpur, is busy preparing traditional bamboo baskets. These handmade items are essential during Chhath, celebrated with devotion in Nepal’s Tarai region following the Tihar festival. The demand for items such as doko, dalo, nanglo, talu, and tapari rises as people gather materials for offerings to the Sun God and Chhathi Mata.
Bhogindra Dom from Jaleshwor Municipality-2 describes bamboo crafting as a heritage skill passed down through generations. “Making these items sustains us; we manage our food, shelter, and clothing by selling wicker baskets of various kinds,” he explains. The seasonal demand allows the Dom community to celebrate festivals with greater comfort, as the income from these products improves their economic stability.
Bechani Dom, a 70-year-old resident of Manrasiswa Municipality-1, shares that work intensifies in the month of Kartik, with artisans weaving bamboo baskets from dawn till dusk. “This is a crucial time for us,” she says. “The demand provides a valuable opportunity for income, and each household typically buys at least five baskets for Chhath celebrations.”
In Pipara, Bikau Dom notes that the Dom community also believes the Sun God and Chhathi Mata visit their homes during the festival. In Sonama Rural Municipality-3, Bijay Dom reveals that some Dom households can earn up to NPR 100,000 per month through these handmade goods, especially as more people celebrate Chhath annually, driving up demand.
The Chhath festival not only strengthens cultural ties but also empowers the Dom community by supporting their traditional craftsmanship and contributing to the local economy.
Source: RSS
