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Traditional mat weavers in the lurch
View(s):Traditional weavers of reed mats (pan peduru) and handicrafts in Rambawewa, Nawagaththegama, despite having been engaged in the cottage industry for generations, are facing difficulties in continuing their occupation. The problem, they say, is a lack of regular buyers.
Women engage in traditional mat-making
Despite having been engaged in reed mat weaving for generations, they do not have regular buyers for their products.
The weaving of mats and reed handicrafts has traditionally been carried out by the women in the village, who have even built small ponds in the vicinity of their homes where they grow the reeds which they use as raw material.
In addition, they also gather reeds from neighbouring tanks to manufacture a variety of handicrafts ranging from mats to reed baskets and similar handicrafts.
The women claim that though the industry is hundreds of years old, it is now struggling to survive.
As a result of not having regular buyers, the women have to travel long distances – as far away as Nawagaththegama, Karuwalagaswewa and Puttalam to sell their wares.
Even here, they say, people haggle over prices, leaving the weavers with little to show for their efforts.
Pix by Hiran Priyankara Jayasinghe
Women gather reeds from tanks to be used as raw material for making mats