Indigenous Women in Rangamati Weave Tradition into Prosperity

An indigenous weaver from Sapchari Union, Rangamati, skillfully works on a waist-loom, crafting vibrant traditional garments that preserve culture and empower livelihoods. ©UNDP Bangladesh

In the remote hills of Sapchari Union in Rangamati, two villages, Bame Taimudu and Hajachora Noadam, are home to indigenous people who have upheld the art of waist-loom weaving for generations. While farming has been their primary livelihood, many artisans also weave handcrafted fabrics. However, this tradition has often been a struggle, as most weavers work as sharecroppers, earning meagre wages without the opportunity to profit from their work.

This began to change with the Climate Adaptive Livelihood Options (CALO) initiative by the United Nations Development Programme—UNDP’s Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC) project, a multi-donor collaborative initiative of the Bangladesh Government, UNCDF, Sweden, and Denmark. 

As climate change disrupted traditional farming with unpredictable monsoons and droughts, many indigenous women turned to weaving as a sustainable alternative, unaffected by weather. Through the Climate Resilient Fund (CRF) under the LoGIC initiative, they received financial support to purchase quality materials, transforming their passion for crafting traditional Pinon-Hadi garments and traditional dresses for Indigenous women into viable businesses.

The results were transformative. Despite district unrest posing challenges, the Hajachora Noadam group invested BDT 2.7 lakh (USD 2,250), earning a profit of BDT 1.1 lakh (USD 900)—a 40% return. Similarly, the Bame Taimudu group invested BDT 2.4 lakh (USD 2,000) and gained a profit of BDT 92,000 (USD 760), achieving a 38% return.

“For the first time, we get to keep the earnings and reinvest in our future,” said Papri Chakma, an indigenous weaver, “With LoGIC’s support, our start-up capital grew by 10% in the first round of investments.”

Beyond financial aid, LoGIC offered training in business management, market linkages, financial documentation, and negotiation. Exposure to broader markets showed these women the potential of their craft. Today, they produce 2-3 outfits monthly, each selling BDT 5,000 to 8,000 (USD 42 to 67), significantly boosting their income by double.

“We’re now preserving our tradition and securing our future,” said Mayuri Chakma Sumana, a weaver. 

With LoGIC’s guidance, the women of Sapchari are weaving not just fabrics but their dreams. Empowered with knowledge and resources, they can reinvest profits, grow their businesses, and create better lives for their families. These women preserve tradition while transforming their future, demonstrating the power of resilience, empowerment, and community.