Strong Backs, Magic Fingers: Traditions of Backstrap Weaving in Bangladesh’ provides an overview of backstrap weavers and weaving in Bangladesh. It includes accounts of weaving by the Bawm, Chak, Chakma, Khyang, Khumi, Lushai, Marma, Mro, Pangkhoa, Tanchangya and Tripura, who dwell in the Rangamati, Khagrachhari and Bandarban regions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, as well as of the Manipuri community who live in the northeast of Bangladesh. Profusely illustrated, the volume provides an insight into the communities engaged in backstrap weaving as well as glimpses into the painstaking process involved. Alongside photographs of contemporary textiles are historic pieces from private and public collections. Each indigenous community has its traditional garments and textiles. However, social and economic changes are increasingly threatening the lifestyle of these communities and endangering their craft. This volume has been written in the hope that it will raise and awareness of the situation of indigenous weavers as well as an appreciation of their traditional weaves. Only thus can their traditional designs be preserved and the weavers themselves be adequately rewarded for their painstaking work.
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