Imam Hossen; [Author]

Crafts of recycled materials

Farming tools

Recycled (RCL)

Farming

A dallor tala is a conical hat made from dall or cardboard. Tala, also known as paddy hat or Asian farmer’s hat, is a simple conical hat traditionally used by Rohingya farmers working in the hot open paddy fields to protect themselves from rain and sun. Tala is also used in both urban and rural settings by rickshaw drivers, travellers, street hawkers and others working outdoors exposed to the elements. Nowadays, tala has been replaced by umbrellas or readymade hats but labourers, especially in rural areas, continue to make and use tala. Tala is easy and inexpensive to make from a range of materials, including bamboo, cane and cardboard. It can be made in different sizes, and the string tied under the chin allows for adjustment.