embroidered panel

papaya

hoya

Favourite fruit and vegetable

EMB0134

During lockdown the art facilitator was confused about assigning projects to the women. She thought embroidering favourite tree leaves, fruits and vegetables will be an easy task for the women to create without her supervision. The project is also a way to find out what type of trees, fruits and vegetables were used in the daily lives of Rohingyas and whether or not they find the same things in camp. Some vegetables were also stored in small containers for the people to consume during off season. People of Arakan believed a green surrounding helps to build a healthy lifestyle. Most Rohingya men are farmers and the community is closely connected to nature which they believe was passed on from their forefathers. Asmida loves eating unripe hoya (papaya) as vegetable. She remembers the papaya trees of her house.