Rangamati: The Vibrant Hill Market in Winter

The prices of goods are also low, attracting wholesalers from far and wide. For the marginalized hill people, Shuvolong Bazaar is not just a marketplace but a capital of trade. The dockside market is quite spacious and open, while the adjacent main market is more compact and crowded.

I spotted a hill woman carrying a large basket full of long, thick potatoes—something rarely seen in the plains. The hill people call it “Kath Alu” or “Thenga Alu,” while Bengalis refer to it as “Shimool Alu.” In English, it is known as cassava, with the scientific name manihot esculenta. There were also black-speckled hill beans, known locally as “Khaissa,” while Bengalis call them “Khesari.” Additionally, the market offers snails and shelled mollusks, which are a rich source of protein for the hill people.

Since this is a tribal market, it offers a diverse range of products like snails and mollusks. Most of the bottle gourd leaves in this market come from Jhum cultivation.

Various types of leafy greens and vegetables are mostly grown on the hillsides. Some call it Jha Shim, while others refer to it as Gira Shim—sold both with and without stems. The locally grown hill vegetables are incredibly fresh and completely free from adulteration.

When you visit the market, your attention will be drawn to the bamboo-made Daba, a traditional hookah. The bamboo-made smoking device is called a hookah or shisha. In some local contexts, it can also be referred to as a Daba in Bengali.

The market’s restaurants are filled with mountain dwellers. The hill people cannot afford to come to the market without eating. Curious to learn about the mystery behind the restaurant’s charm, I ended up engaging in lively conversations with the locals. Food and gossip are two things that the mountain people absolutely love.

Dry fish (Shutki) is a favorite delicacy among the hill tribes. People from this region, including the hill Bengalis, absolutely love eating dry fish. They enjoy various kinds such as Loitta, Faisha, Khuri, Chingri, Mola, Kachki, and many others. Have you ever tried shark dry fish? You can find shark dry fish here!

There is a diverse collection of hand-made shoes by the hill tribes. There are also colorful threads for weaving fabrics. Most of the tribal families have the tradition of weaving their own clothes with these threads on their looms. Not only are there threads for weaving clothes, but you can also find woven fabrics, traditional clothing, and various textile items in this market.

Traditional items such as Pinnon Hadi, Rinai Richa, Thami, Fatuwa, Shal, Kombol, Maplar, Papos, bags, and more are all handmade or woven in the tribal style. The locals buy them based on their needs, and you can also purchase them. Nearby, there’s a display of jewelry and accessories. Girls of all ages from indigenous communities love to adorn themselves with these beautiful pieces.

In the plains, Bengalis prefer large betel leaves, whereas the hill tribes favor smaller ones. Unlike the bigger ones, the smaller betel leaves are sold by weight, and though they are just two to three inches long, they are sweet in taste. Along with betel leaves, dry tobacco leaves from the tobacco plant are sold. The tobacco plant has two main uses in the hills.

One part is used to make Zorda and Nass (snuff), while the rest is used by those who enjoy smoking hookah. Due to reduced production, tobacco is now more expensive. The Shubhlong market has a weekly market that takes place every Friday. Most of the indigenous people in the hills love spicy food, which is why both raw and dried chilies are in high demand and supply here.