Livelihood Strategy and Vulnerability of Brass and Bell Metal Artisans in Bangladesh

Abstract

Brass and bell metal craftsmanship in Bangladesh is a living tradition reflecting the region’s deep cultural and historical heritage. Metallurgical practices in Bengal date back to the Chalcolithic Age (c. 1500 BC), with widespread use of iron emerging around 1000 BC. Copper, its alloys, and iron were the most important materials to be employed in metal work, with silver and gold being utilized on a more limited basis. This craft not only reflects the technological capabilities of the region but also embodies within itself its rich culture. The thesis examines artisans’ livelihood strategies and multidimensional vulnerabilities in three historically significant craft clusters: Islampur (Jamalpur), Kagmari (Tangail), and Dhamrai (Dhaka). The aim of the study is to examine how these artisans’ communities surmount socio-economic challenges without discarding century-long traditions, and identify key gaps between policy design and practice at the ground level that threaten the longevity of craft. A mixed-methods method employed to study collected data from 210 craftspeople (70 per site) between November 2022 and February 2023 through structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and participant observation. The research objectives included the assessment of demographic profiles, livelihood strategies, assets bases, vulnerability contexts, coping xiv mechanisms, and policy effectiveness. The argument of the thesis posits that although there are progressive policies, policy implementation failures beget policy-practice gaps and thus economically marginalize artisans while they continue to be culturally cherished. The findings of the study revel the vulnerabilities: 82% reflect lack of access to capital, 95.7%-90% are men everywhere, and religious composition reflects 79.1%-61.4% Hindu participation consistent with historic patterns of patronage. Income insecurity is felt by 95.71% of Islampur artisans with psychological stress, and educational attainment ranges from 37.1% illiteracy in rural Islampur to 47.1% primary school education in peri-urban Dhamrai, reflecting geographical variation. Occupational hazards still remain untackled, 77.1% without safety equipment and only 2% undergoing safety training. Women remain significantly excluded, and their valuable contribution in polishing and finishing is yet to be recognized and appreciated. In spite of these difficulties, the producers demonstrate adaptive resilience through the development of digital interaction (18.57% application of online marketing in Dhamrai), product diversification (27.14% in Dhamrei), and skill upgradation (14.76% in Kagmari). That only 50.1% of people learn skills through family tradition shows that intergenerational transmission is under threat. Policies are suggested by the study, such as better interministerial coordination, gender-responsive training duties, digital literacy modules, clustering of crafts, facilitated access to financing (at a 5% interest rate as requested by the craftsmen), and environmental sustainability. The study can contribute to longitudinal designs for the measurement of socio-economic transitions, extend geographical scope to other centers of craft (Bogura, Chapainawabganj, Munshiganj etc.), examine women’s invisible labour inputs, and examine digital marketplace effects towards protecting traditional craftsmanship.