Earthen grain jar on the verge of extinction
An earthen grain jar, locally known as Matka. Agamir Somoy.
Once common in almost every household in Laksam, Cumilla, the large earthen container known as a “matka” or “matki” was used to store rice, seeds and dry food. Water kept in them would also remain cool. But with the growing use of plastic containers, these traditional earthen vessels have gradually disappeared. Even where one or two can still be found, they now lie unused.
A search in several villages in Gobindapur, Uttarada, Ajgara, Mudafarganj, Kandirpar and Laksam East union of Laksam upazila found matkas in only four or five households. None of them is still in use.
At the home of farmer Md Siddiqur Rahman in Betihati village of Gobindapur union, two matkas were found lying beside the house. Local residents said these vessels were widely used during the time of their grandparents. They were used to store paddy seeds, wheat, mustard, sesame and other seeds, as well as rice and dry food.
Farmers Md Ruhul Amin of Betihati village, Md Delwar Hossain of Lakshmipur, Md Shahabuddin of Naoti village in Ajgara union and Rabiul Haque of Thengarpar in Uttarada union said that even during their time, many households had bamboo-made paddy storage bins and earthen matkas. A single storage bin could hold up to 40-50 maunds of paddy. Now, along with matkas, these traditional paddy storage bins have also nearly disappeared.
Dulal Chandra Pal, a trader at Daulatganj market and a potter from Dhamoicha village, said that even in the 1990s, most families in their village made earthen pots, pans, utensils, matkas and other containers. Now hardly anyone makes such products anymore. They have to be brought in from elsewhere for sale.
Partha Pal, also from the same village, said that his village in Laksam was once known for making matkas and various other earthen vessels. Family members would make the products and take them to local markets and different areas by boat to sell them. The profession has now almost disappeared as demand for plastic products has increased.
Afroza Khan Mita, regional director of the Department of Archaeology in Cumilla, said matkas and matkis were once widely used. Changes in people's lifestyles and the growing use of plastic containers have now pushed them close to extinction.
She said the use of plastic is harmful to the environment. Greater attention to bamboo and cane products, woodwork, cottage industries and pottery could help preserve traditional heritage while also creating new entrepreneurs and expanding employment opportunities.
