How Hidden Villages in Bangladesh Are Gaining Fame For Handmade Swings

Discover the charm of handmade swings, crafted with love and traditional artistry for a rustic yet elegant touch. Perfect for adding a cozy vibe to your garden, balcony, or living space.

Home Reviews How Hidden Villages in Bangladesh Are Gaining Fame for Handmade Swings

How Hidden Villages in Bangladesh Are Gaining Fame For Handmade Swings

Bathed in the red glow of the eastern sky, the newborn sun rises in splendor, as if cleansing itself anew. Like a strand of pearls, the mist-covered rice fields adorn the earth in breathtaking beauty. The sweet cooing of the cuckoo heralds the arrival of spring in nature.

Through the heart of the vast green stretches, serpentine water bodies flow gracefully across the scenic land of Nagori Union in Kaliganj, Gazipur. Wrapped in layers of lush greenery, nature’s artwork lives and breathes in every fold of this tranquil plain.

Along the roads and open fields, the carefree joys of childhood are vividly visible. As mealtime approaches, every household buzzes with the joyful bustle of cooking, each preparing their own delicious meals with care.

Nothing extravagant—just simple, everyday dishes. Yet, cooked with heartfelt emotion over a clay stove, this scene is a timeless snapshot of every village in Bangladesh. In some of the houses here, strong iron rods are being bent into circular shapes for a special purpose.

The Art of Weaving Swings by Hand

A group of craftsmen is deeply focused on their work. These variously shaped iron discs will be used as raw materials to make beautiful swings. The weaving of the swings is done with thread—braided like a plait to form the base. In this village, nearly every house is involved in swing-making. Each home feels like a little swing-making factory.

Women, in particular, are highly skilled in this craft. In the hands of these artisans, the threads seem to come alive. Through precise weaving, the swing gradually takes shape into a beautiful design.

Different colored threads are used to make swings of various styles. The thread is knotted and twisted with care to create the four hanging corners of the swing.

The raw threads come all the way from Narayanganj. Some arrive pre-dyed, while others are dyed by the local entrepreneurs themselves. The pre-made swing seat is then carefully attached to the four intricately crafted corners.

Women Empowerment

In the villages of Biratul Dhanun, Bagdi, Gararia, and Bindan under Nagarpur Union of Kaliganj, swing-making has become a widespread craft. As a result, these villages have earned the nickname “Swing Villages.”

Now comes the step of adding the bottom portion of the swing. Depending on its size and type, making one swing can take anywhere from a few hours to several days.

In these serene rural pockets, a quiet craft revolution is unfolding. Alongside their regular household chores, the women here are earning extra income by making swings. Around three hundred men and women from this region are involved in this vibrant cottage industry.

Types Of Swings

Sometimes, swings are crafted while hanging from the veranda; other times, they’re tied to the sturdy branches of nearby trees where they quietly come to life.

In some places, artisans even build high bamboo scaffolds to sit atop and continue working on the swings from above — a beautiful blend of balance and creativity.

While bamboo and cane swings were once common in this region, today’s demand is for thread-made swings. With artistic imagination and intricate weaving, artisans shape various styles such as bride swings, chair swings, and round disk swings.

These handcrafted swings are not only popular among urban elites but also gaining recognition overseas. The craft is growing steadily, and even school and college students are joining in.

Entrepreneurship

A small swing requires up to one kilogram of yarn. Larger swings need even more. Artistic designs are crafted on the surface of the swings, much like the traditional patterns used in Shitol Pati (cool mats). Recently, factories have also been established here.

Due to nationwide demand, success, and potential, new entrepreneurs are emerging.

Each factory employs an average of 120 to 130 artisans. The wages are also quite decent. As a result, many women in the villages have become self-reliant. Women from nearby districts also come here to work. Artisans are paid per swing.

The wage varies depending on the design and size of the swing. Swings are regularly supplied from here to the capital Dhaka, as well as to Khulna, Jessore, and Chittagong. A single artisan can make three to four children’s swings per day, though this depends on their skill level.

Cushions for Swings

Cushions are used for sitting on the swings. The initial preparation for making cushions begins with garment scraps. Around the swing-making industry, a separate small-scale cottage industry for cushion production has quietly developed in the region.

The cushion factories remain busy day and night. Thousands of young people have found employment here. Cushions are made based on the type of swing. Customer demand also influences the wide variety of cushion designs. Some swings require two cushions, while others may need several.

Swings Have Several Benefits

1. Swings are a very popular form of play for children.

2. Not only that, swinging helps in the physical and mental development of children.

3. For adults, a swing brings a sense of peace in a busy life.

4. Reading books or listening to music on a swing in the yard or garden helps reduce stress.

5. Swinging also improves children’s ability to maintain balance.

Conclusions

Swings are collected from house to house in the village and then gathered at the factory. From the factory, they are distributed all over the country. Along with yarn swings, stand swings are also made here. Since they don’t need to be hung, these are suitable for use in gardens, balconies, or courtyards.

Before marketing, each swing goes through a quality check at the factory. The process of attaching cushions is carried out. A swing reaches its full beauty only after the cushions are added. In addition to wholesale selling, swings are also sold online through their self-made websites.