embroidered panel

proverb

boson

In frames:Rohingya wit

EMB0169

Sharing boson (proverbs) to hand down cultural wisdom from one generation to the next is in fabric of Rohingya culture. As CMC Rohingya women artisans themselves suggested the idea to illustrate proverbs with their needlecraft, artist-in-residence Farzana Urmi and art facilitator Saleha Akter Urmi led this project playing with challenges of translating the richness of oral culture to embroidery art. Rohingyalish (a simplified Rohingya script using Latin alphabets) used in the artwork lets you experience the sound of the boson while appreciating the evocative yet naïve drawings from the Rohingya artisans of the camp. Ári nofaillé bañdir foddóré. English proverb: Necessity knows no law. Literal translation: Finding no other means, one touches the feet of their maid. Meaning: In socio-economic hierarchy, maids hold one of the lowest positions. When one falls into trouble, and finds no other ways, they might get as desperate as to kneel to a maid. Sometimes, life presents us troubles that make us compensate our ethics and social propriety.