Category: Craftsman


I TOOK TWO FAMILIES TO SEE A POTTERY VILLAGE, SPENDING TIME AT MRINMOI POTTERY, FOLLOWED BY A VISIT TO DHAMRAI METAL CASTING.  You can see more info on this blog:  http://msspfollen.blogspot.com/2010/02/dhamrai-metalcasting.html.   There are also some Utube videos:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzuuqDQhs_s,  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCL_vATpbbs, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRbx_fFpVuM.  Sukanta Banik, owner of Dhamrai Metal Casting is a friend of my son, Austin.

METAL CASTING IN THE MAKING!

Day 301

WE ATTENDED A CRAFT BAZAAR ORGANIZED BY PROKRITI AND MCC.   They had me wear a “funny” robe and scarf on my head.  Then I played this hand drum like thing.  Of course I got everyone’s attention.  I think they have it on hand to have some fun at the Bazaar Someone commented that they now saw Austin’s Dad (me) acts just like Austin.  I wonder who learned it from who! 🙂  I wondered later if I didn’t even have the robe on backwards!   This was the first of hopefully many more monthly bazaars.  Many organizations brought items from many Bangladesh artisans for sale.  There also was North End Roasters coffee available.  Afterward we went to the A & W restaurant.  A & W root beer is one of Alice’s favorite soft drink.  Myron got some Movenpick ice cream which he thoroughly enjoyed.  We ate the evening meal at Midnight Sun, a Chinese restaurant.  For dessert we ordered ice cream.  At least today Myron had ice cream two times, instead of his normal three times a day when he is on vacation!  Oh, Michelle this post and photo is especially for you! 🙂

Here I am at the Fair Trade Craft Bazaar

Vertical View

                                                Myron, Eileen, Karleen (From Middlefield, Ohio) and Alice enjoying A & W drinks.

Day 239

BENGALI LADY OPERATING A LOOM in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Day 144

CARPENTER DRILLS HOLES the old-fashioned way.  When there is a power outage, he can still keep working. He is building shutters for the village home near Munshiganj.

BENGAL HINDU LADY PUTTING A DESIGN ON THIS POTTERY.  It is amazing to see her speed and accuracy.  This is in a Mrinmoy pottery village near Manikgang.

Day 93

POTTER AT WORK WITH A FOOT-POWERED WHEEL at Mrinmoi Pottery Village near Manikgang.


Day 69

RICKSHAW ART: This is a continuation of the series of some of the painting seen on vehicles in Bangladesh.

HANDICAPPED WORKER AT CCH in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.  He is doing productive work making cards.

Day 294

HARMONIUM BEING MADE BY A CRAFTSMAN in Old Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Day 159

SOME NICE STITCHING BY former sex-workers learning a new trade at a MCC project in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

Today I enjoyed a sweet lassi at the Nando’s restaurant.  Some of their slogans caught my eye as I entered the restaurant.  “It takes longer to marinate our chicken than it does to fly to Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, or North America.”  Another slogan said, “Power Supply Limited/Coke Supply Unlimited” obviously talking about the large amount of load-shedding in the city during hot days to conserve electricity and their new item on the menu (bottomless Coke).  I heard last week while FACEBOOK was blocked in Bangladesh, they had a sign that said if you are missing “Farmville”, come in we have lots of chicken!!    Hope you all had a great day!

FORMER SEX WORKERS quilt two layers of old saris to make throws, etc.

Yesterday, I visited the Bengal Gallery in Lalmatia, Dhaka, Bangladesh.  There were photos featuring several issues including child labor.  It mentioned that 17.5% of the children between age 5-15 work with the average income a max of $10 per month whereas the average adult laborer receives $50 per month.  In the brick factories they get paid $0.90 for every 1,000 bricks they handle!  Those working in the silver cooking pot factories get 200 taka ($2.80)  per week working 10 hrs per day.  In this poor country the families are desperate for food and so send their children to work, sacrificing the opportunity for education, etc.

Day 156

MODERN VERSION OF YARN WINDER!   This was also at one of the MCC projects in Mymensingh, Bangladesh.  MCC is one of many development NGO’s in Bangladesh.