Monsoon means rain, sparkling water in canals, ponds and rivers, and a familiar scene of rural Bengal the wooden boat. This traditional means is not just a mode of transport, but intimately tied to the livelihoods of thousands. In various villages of Saltha Upazila in Faridpur, the seasonal hustle of making wooden boats is now underway.
Montar Mor, Sarukdia, Nokulhati, Majhardia — each seems like a small ‘boat industry village’ of Saltha. Everywhere there are logs of wood, the sound of saws, hammering, and brushes with paint keeping the craftsmen busy.
Boat making goes on day and night. At a boat workshop near Nokulhati Bazar, craftsman Md. Robiul Islam was met. He has been in this profession for 20 years. In his words, “Our work starts one and a half to two months before the monsoon arrives. Now under pressure of orders, we hardly get time even to eat properly.”
He said it takes 3 to 4 days to make a medium-sized boat. Wood, paint, hammer, saw — all are under their control. “Every season we make at least 50 to 70 boats.”
Young craftsman of the same workshop Shahin Sheikh said that even though life has changed with the touch of modernity, the value of wooden boats has not decreased. Farmers, fishermen, even local shopkeepers still use these boats in the rainy season. In canals, ponds, and roads flooded with rainwater, it is the most effective means.
Here, wooden boats are available in various shapes and prices. There is also diversity in price. Small boats sell for 6 to 8 thousand taka. Larger, sturdy wooden and painted boats cost up to 12 to 15 thousand taka.
Trader Abdul Halim said that although many people in the market now use tin or fiber boats, for balance and durable use, wooden boats are still most in demand.
It is considered not just a product, but a source of livelihood. Behind making these boats lies the story of many people’s bread and butter. Wood suppliers, painters, carriers — each is an important part of this industrial chain. Factory owner Md. Firoz Molla said, “Monsoon means Eid season for us. Many people run their expenses for the whole year from the earnings of this time.”
Local senior teacher Abdul Kader said, “The boat is not just a vehicle, it is a part of our cultural identity. The way boats were used in weddings, festivals or rural fairs before, is still seen in many areas. So no matter how much modernity comes, the appeal of wooden boats is still intact.”
It is mentioned that in areas like Saltha in Faridpur, making wooden boats is not just a seasonal business, but a means of livelihood, a carrier of tradition, and a marker of an art passed through generations. To sustain this industry, it is necessary for the government to provide training, easy loans and marketing support. Then perhaps like the flow of monsoon water, this industry will also survive for a long time.
