The Tharu dhakiya (woven basket) is disappearing along with kasungna grass
-Urmila Gamwa Tharu
The number of Tharu women who weave the dhakiya out of kasungna (vetiver) grass has decreased as a result of climate change's impact on this grass, which is important to the Tharu community.
This grass-woven dhakiya basket is used to store grains, prepare the Tharu cuisine dhikri, and discard old prayer items. To hang clothing, store grains, and prepare traditional foods, use bhaunka, dhakiya, and pain. In Tharu culture, dhikri, which are utilized in religious rites, are important items that are all made of vetiver. During the Dashain celebration, dhakiya is essential for ancestor worship. They are also used as sacred vessels to prepare dhikri(Tharu Food).For religious rites, one may only use dhakiyas made of punja and vetiver grass; one cannot use plastic, woolen, or other baskets.
The dhakiyas are only woven by women. According to Kanchanpur resident Guliya Devi Tharu, "I learned how to make this dhakiya from my mother and am now teaching my daughter."
Punja grass with Guliya Devi Tharu
Courtesy: Urmila Gamwa Tharu
The dhakiya serves cultural purposes in addition to utilitarian and social ones. A dhakiya is also associated with a mother's affection and the house of one's parents in the Tharu culture. Dhakiya weaving is a craft that is learned in the paternal household. In the past, ladies spent the entire year weaving dhakiyas in their family houses. In particular, Tharus in Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur observe this tradition. This is regarded as the parental home's talent and sign of affection. Guliya Devi Tharu explains, "Some of these dhakiyas have been woven by my mother, and some by my grandmother," as she stands in front of a number of them. As a reminder of their affection, I have preserved them.
In addition to being connected to a woman's knowledge and talent, the custom of weaving a dhakiya is also connected to nature. Dhakiyas are only woven with vetiver, also known as kaans (thatch grass) in the Nepali language. This grass is highly prized in the Tharu culture since it also helps to reduce soil erosion. This grass is 7-8 feet tall, and its roots are similarly extensive and lengthy. This grows well in many types of soil and even holds the sand together. Therefore, it is raised in regions where floods lead to soil erosion.
Vetiver grass( Kasungna)
The fertility of the land is also maintained in this way, according to expert Chhabilal Kopila. People have cultivated vetiver along the riverbanks in Belauri Municipality in Kanchanpur after a flood in 2004 significantly damaged property and claimed several lives. This year, 65 homes are seeking refuge in the surrounding community forest after a flood forced the whole Udayapur Village to evacuate. "We've tried using bushes to establish embankments. Saitu Kumar Chaudhary, a nearby resident, claims that this has helped to some extent lessen the effects of floods.
Because of the effects of climate change, these dangerous situations have become more frequent. Kanchanpur resident Priti Chaudhary explains, "There are times when it doesn't rain at all, and other times when it pours too much and drowns the crops. The floods this year destroyed blossoming paddy fields. As a result, climate change has an effect on several industries globally. Climate change is causing an increase in global temperature of 0.17 degrees Celsius every ten years. Vegetation has been influenced by this change. Punja and vetiver are not widely distributed. They can only be discovered on the banks of rivers or forests. Vetiver output has decreased due to rising temperatures.
"In the past, the Tharu people had a custom of cultivating a patch of thatch grass and using vetiver to thatch their roofs. Today, however, there is no need to maintain the vetiver because dwellings are constructed of concrete, according to Chhabilal Kopila. The connections between Vetiver and the Tharu women are based on nature, water, land, customs, feelings, and culture. To pass on skills and maintain tradition, Tharu women would conserve the environment while weaving the dhakiya. Climate change has harmed women culturally along with the loss of vetiver.
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