Salim Moshiur, Comilla (South)

The 'Hogla' bed, once a rural Bengali tradition in the greater Laksam area of southern Cumilla, is no longer appreciated by the common people. That rural asset, the Hogla leaf bed, is gradually disappearing.

According to several local sources, in the greater Laksam upazila of southern Cumilla, the hundred-year-old rural tradition of Hogla leaf bed was used in homes in the city or rural areas. The Hogla mat was widely known as a cool bed for the poor and lower middle class people. It was used in maktabs, mosques, madrasas, various social events or educational institutions. The product was one of the means for sleeping. In addition, the product was used for worship, shelters for houses, baskets for storing crops, field fences and various household purposes. Although Hogla leaves were not cultivated in this region, a community used to collect Hogla leaves from the coastal areas of the country and make them into bed sheets and sell them in various markets for a living. However, today, it seems that this rural tradition is being lost in the current era of digital technology.

The sources further state that this Hogla tree used to grow naturally in the sub-alpine regions on loamy or loamy soil and in the fields of fertile land. The tree is usually a 5 to 12 foot tall tree with 1/2 inch rows of leaves. The leaves of the tree gradually take on a green nature and grow longer and after being picked and dried, they turn into a wonderful color with a golden mixture along with the color of the wood. Due to the current crisis of Hogla leaves, unavailability of workers, increased cost of making bed sheets above the market price, and higher transportation costs, this rural small industry is on the verge of extinction today.

Many people expect this industry to go far if it gets the support of the government or private investment organizations. At one time, there were natural gardens of Hogla trees in many places in this region, including Lalmai Hills in Comilla. The people of that community used to collect Hogla tree leaves and make mats in their homes, men, women, and teenagers, and sell them wholesale in the big markets of the area or arrange them on the sidewalks. As a handicraft, the income from selling Hogla leaf mats was the only means of livelihood for that class of people.

The country is moving forward, but due to various reasons, the demand for that product has decreased, as well as the fraud of hoarders and hoarders in the markets. In this regard, multiple sources of hogla leaf traders said that if small industries were to expand in this region, they would be able to meet the demand of the area by making various kinds of items including small and large beds, prayer mats, cushions, baskets, hats, bags, baskets, household goods, hand fans, and export them to other parts of the country or abroad, and generate huge revenue, local environmental experts are of the opinion.

Currently, 7/8 shops and 8/10 vendors are selling 'hogla' leaf beds on the sidewalks and sidewalks of various markets in the centers of Laksam, Barura and Nangalkot municipalities. The price is much higher than before. Each bed is available for 50/120 taka depending on the size.