Narail's 'donga market': Where businesses thrive on canoes
The Narail market witnesses the craft and business of palm tree canoes called ‘Donga
Nestled along the slopes of the Narail-Jashore Highway, an ordinary looking market has found its home beneath the sprawling canopy of a massive rain tree.
This unique marketplace – thriving for half a century – has drawn artisans from various villages within Narail, who arrive with a slender watercraft, smaller than a typical canoe, suited for carrying only two to three passengers.
This distinctive vessel is locally known as "Donga".
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Here, these skilled craftsmen meticulously put the finishing touches on their palm tree canoes, holding on to hope that the sales season still has life, despite a decline in market visitors due to unexpected autumn rains.
The largest such "Dongar Haat" in the district takes place in Tularampur market of Sadar upazila every Monday and Friday.
Beyond Narail, this market attracts buyers from Satkhira, Jashore, Khulna, Bagerhat, Magura, and Gopalganj, where the price of Donga hinges on the tree's age, quality, and shape.
The market springs to life at seven in the morning, with sellers showing up with their canoes.
As the day unfolds, so does the crowd of eager customers, filling the air with chatter about prices.
The market's proximity to the main road attracts not only buyers but also van drivers who arrive early in the morning to deliver the purchased canoes to their new owners.
The Donga, crafted from palm trees, is a cherished tradition in the southwestern districts of the country.
It serves as a practical and cost-effective means of navigating calm, shallow waters, suitable for fishing, harvesting water lilies, cutting paddy and jute, and collecting snails.
Hossain Ali, in his seventies and a resident of Char Shalikha village in Sadar upazila, brings his personal canoe to the Tularampur market.
He has grown up witnessing locals craft canoes in their homes.
Recollecting childhood memories of canoe trips with friends during the rainy season, he reflects, "This is the tradition of our Narail. Once, every household had a palm-canoe. I learned the art of canoe making from my father, who, in turn, learned it from my grandfather. I've been in this business for forty years. During the dry season, we farm, and when the rainy season sets in, we craft canoes and bring them to market.
He, however, said the demand was not as high as it once was, but "people from far and wide still come to buy our canoes."
Each row of canoes boasts distinct head designs, with names inspired by the looks of fish heads.
For instance, a canoe with a head resembling that of a Magur fish is dubbed "Majgur head," while other names like "Shoal head" or "Kaille head."
These names have remained consistent through the generations, passed down from fathers and grandfathers.
Crafting two canoes from a single palm tree takes a team of four artisans an entire day.
Ideally, palm trees aged between 20 and 30 years are selected for canoe-making, with each tree costing between Tk6,000-8,000. The hard outer shell of the palm tree is used to construct the Donga, with the softer inner part discarded.
Once crafted, the interior and exterior of the Donga are meticulously rubbed and smoothed.
Unlike regular boats, Dongas do not receive a coat of paint or tar.
Their popularity in the region stems from their affordability and ease of transport.
Rezaul Haque, from Malidanga village, brought his son-in-law to purchase a canoe, even though he had previously crafted canoes for himself.
"Dongas are in higher demand during the rainy season. This time, I have chosen one to gift to my son-in-law. They're asking for Tk8,000. I haven't settled on the price yet; we'll see how it goes," Rezaul says.
Artisans recommend immersing the canoes in water at the end of the rainy season to preserve their quality. The price of a Donga varies depending on the age, quality, and shape of the tree, starting from a minimum of Tk500 and reaching up to TK15,000.
A 73-year-old Nikhil Goswami, resident of Hatiara village in Sadar Upazila, uses his canoe for fishing and transporting paddy.
"The lifespan of a Donga depends on the quality of the tree. To determine this, look for black spots on the trunk. If the tree has black spots, the boat's price is higher, and it lasts longer," he says.
The price of Dongas fluctuates primarily based on the pulp quality and age of the palm trees. Palm trees with more solid pulp command a higher price than less pulpy ones.
Nikhil Goswami adds, "If the palm tree is of condense pulp, the Donga can last for 10 to 15 years. Donga made from not-so-solid trees are usable for 6 months to 1 year, with prices ranging from Tk300 to Tk500. Customers often prefer this affordable option."
Solaiman Hossain, deputy manager of the Narail District Office of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation, explains that the prevalence of canoes in Narail is primarily due to the abundant supply of palm trees in the region.
Monsoon is the prime season for canoe sales, with demand increasing if there's more rain and higher Gaffar Hossain, the market's lessee, told The Business Standard.
