embroidered panel

banana

kela

Fruits of Arakan

EMB0215

During the COVID lockdown, Rohingya embroidery artisans were asked to embroider their favorite fruits since it was an easy task to follow through without 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 at camp. As a result, the female artists drew these pictures where they not only embroidered their favorite fruits, but also practiced their skills by drawing other objects. 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. Among other fruits, Hosne Ara drew a banana also known as kela in Rohingya. In Myanmar, her family had a banana orchard. Bananas taste the same in Myanmar and Bangladesh.