Traditional bullock cart on verge of extinction

In rural Bangladesh, the bullock cart was once a beloved mode of transportation and an integral part of village life. Especially in the southern regions, the two-wheeled bullock cart was a preferred means for carrying agricultural produce and people. However, with the rise of modern machinery and digital advancements, this iconic symbol of rural tradition is now on the brink of extinction. Alongside the disappearance of bullock carts, the profession of the bullock cart driver, or gariyal, is also vanishing.

Once an essential mode of transport in rural areas, bullock carts are now a rare sight on the winding village paths. These carts were once a vibrant presence in various districts of the country, valued for their utility and cultural significance. But today, the touch of modernization and mechanization has pushed them into oblivion.

The bullock cart has inspired poets and writers to compose numerous poems, and traditional songs like the famous bhaoyaiya tune, “Oki gariyal bhai, koto robo ami panther dike chaiya re…” have celebrated its legacy. Nowadays, however, bullock carts and the gariyal profession exist only as nostalgic stories in newspapers and books. Occasionally, one might spot a dilapidated bullock cart in remote areas, but they have entirely disappeared from urban landscapes.

The new generation, especially children in cities and even villages, often does not recognize the bullock cart. Urban kids sometimes ask their parents about the strange, unfamiliar vehicle when they encounter it. Decades ago, bullock carts played a crucial role in transporting agricultural produce and were an indispensable part of rural life.

A bullock cart, typically made of two wheels attached to a central axle, was drawn by a pair of oxen or bulls yoked at the front. Farmers used these carts to carry organic fertilizers, animal feed, and farming tools to their fields, often starting their day before dawn.

About 20 years ago, bullock carts were also used in weddings. Brides and grooms would travel in decorated bullock carts, and the festivities would feel incomplete without them. A wedding procession might involve 10-12 bullock carts adorned with canopies, making for a grand spectacle. Firecrackers were often burst along the way, adding to the celebration.

Today, only a handful of these carts can be seen in rural paths, and they are usually in a state of disrepair. What was once a livelihood for many is now obsolete. Families that depended on bullock carts for their income once held a high social status.

Modern alternatives like trucks, power tillers, lorries, and motorized vehicles such as nasimons and korimons have taken over. People now rely on motor vehicles, auto-rickshaws, and trains for transportation. The bullock cart, though eco-friendly and sustainable, has lost its place in modern life.

Unlike motorized vehicles, the bullock cart does not require fuel, emits no smoke, and causes no environmental harm. It is a slow-moving, accident-free, and pollution-free mode of transportation. Yet, the tides of change have rendered it obsolete.

Veteran bullock cart drivers like Jahangir Alam and Emamul Haque Jewel reminisce about how their forefathers sustained their families by driving bullock carts. Today, however, no one wants to use them. Drivers have shifted to operating auto-rickshaws and electric vehicles for their livelihood.

Agricultural Officer Jahangir Alam notes that while bullock carts are still sporadically used in remote areas for carrying crops and people, they are no longer viable in the face of mechanized and digital advancements. Efforts are needed to preserve this cultural heritage.

Upazila Executive Officer Bhupali Sarkar adds, “Once a vital means of transportation, bullock carts are now disappearing due to technological advancements. Bullock carts, a two-wheeled vehicle drawn by oxen, were widely used for carrying crops and people. As modern machinery like power tillers replaced them, this eco-friendly and culturally significant tradition is fading. It is crucial to protect and revive such heritage, and affluent farmers in rural areas should take the lead.”

Preserving the bullock cart and the gariyal profession is essential to safeguarding the cultural identity of rural Bangladesh. Government intervention and community efforts can play a significant role in keeping this cherished tradition alive.