Eco-friendly mud houses of Bangladesh on the way to extinction in the cycle of time
The traditional style of village Bengal is disappearing. Over time, the mud house of this style of the rural tradition of Bengal is getting lost. Due to the excellence of modernity, it is said that the houses made of clay in different places in Bangladesh such as at Rangunia of Chattagram and Comilla Town are on the verge of extinction.
It was not long ago that every village could see two or four houses made of two or four roofs, now even in some unions, such houses are not seen. Meanwhile, the environment is being polluted due to the excessive use of tin and wood.
Because most of the tin produced in the country is not environment friendly. However, in various hill tribe neighborhoods of Rangunia Upazila, there are still a few houses.
Talking to historians and local elders, it is known that even 20-25 years ago, almost every house in the village had thatched roofs and mud houses. A large quantity of chana was found in the hills of Rangunia, which was used for house canopy and drinking water barge. Lower-class people used to cover their houses with this shade.
Apart from this, day laborers used to run the family by selling Flax. The mud house of this style of tent was locally known as Poor’s air-conditioned house. The upper class also used Flax as a hobby at the roofs of the kitchen.
Shafiul Alam Saudagar, a resident of Alam Shah Para village of Ward No. 8 of Union No. 15 of the Ragunia, Chattagram, said, “Last five years, we had several Mud houses at our home village. A couple of years ago, I removed those and built a brick house. The mud house of Flax roof was comfortable in both winter and hot season.”
It is known that there were some artisans in the village to make huts. Their wages ranged from 500 to 1000 taka per house making. The house was roofed specially by arranging the roofs in several steps.
Water was sprinkled on the canopy by tying it tightly with bamboo and cane. So that the sticks sit on the bamboo easily. Generally, if there are no floods, earthquakes, storms, or natural disasters, these houses last for hundreds of years. However, many still maintain one or two mud houses to keep the memory of their ancestors.
Archeology researcher Enayetur Rahim said, “On April 29, 1991, the terrible flood of upstream water from India caused extensive damage to houses made of stone in Rangunia, like the rest of the country.
Since then, people have lost interest in building houses of mud and clay. The custom of building houses with brick walls, tin fences, and thatch began. In addition, many people consider it a hassle because they have to change their style every year. Since then, the number of Mud Houses started decreasing. Currently, this house is not very visible.”
He also said, “Now this sign of Bengali tradition is about to disappear. Perhaps the day is not far off when the talk of Flax roofs will disappear from people’s minds forever.
And the next generation will go to the museum to see the mud houses made by hillocks. Also, future generations will feel comfortable placing this house in fairy tales.”
