Department of Archaeology Ministry of Cultural Affairs World Heritage Convention UNESCO Dhaka Office UNESCO - Republic of Korea Funds-in-Trust Project on Local Community Involvement in the Sustainable Development of the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur World Heritage Site, Bangladesh April 2016 - March 2017 Achievement Report
1. Project Background World Heritage sites all over the world are places of outstanding universal value which countries (State Parties) have subscribed to protect and preserve. By signing the Convention, each country pledges to conserve not o0nly the World Heritage sites situated on its territory, but also to protect its national heritage. The States Parties are encouraged to integrate the protection of the cultural and natural heritage into regional planning programmes, set up staff and services at their sites, undertake scientific and technical conservation research and adopt measures which give this heritage a function in the day-to-day life of the community. Inspired by the theme of the 40th anniversary of the World Heritage Convention in 2012 - local communities-, the Republic of Korea and the World Heritage Centre of UNESCO have initiated a pilot project focusing on the local communities at World Heritage sites entitled - Sustainable Development and Community Involvement (SDCI) which is being rolled out at World Heritage sites in Pakistan and Bangladesh. In Bangladesh the project was carried out at the Paharpur World Heritage site - the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur, inscribed as World Heritage in 1985 and surrounded by approximately thirty villages. The site is known also for its several hundreds of terracotta plaques featuring fauna and flora as well as figurines. This background provided an excellent basis for the SDCI project at Parhapur to involve the local community in the preservation and sustainable development of the site through revival of the traditional terracotta plaque making skills, along with contemporary skills, thereby also ensuring participation and income generation to the local community. The project was carried out from April 2016 March 2017. 1
2. Paharpur World Heritage Site The World Heritage site is geographically located to the north-west of Bangladesh in the district of Naogaon, the heart-land of ancient Varendra, surrounded by eight villages in the eight kilometer radium of the World Heritage site. The remains of the Buddhist monastic complex are the most spectacular and important pre-islamic monument in Bangladesh dating back to the late 8th to the 12th century. Highlights: Name: The Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur Inscribed as World Heritage site in 1985 Criteria: i, ii, iv The entire site covers 27 acres (110,000m 2 ) Nearest City: Bogra District: Naogaon The complex can be described as a large square quadrangle measuring approximately 920 feet, with the main entrance, an elaborate structure, on the northern side with outer walls. 2
At the intermediate level there were originally two bands of terracotta plaques running around the full perimeter of the shrine, out of which half are still preserved in situ. The main central shrine has a cruciform ground plan and a terraced superstructure that rises in three terraces above ground level to a height of about 70 feet. At the intermediate level there were originally two bands of terracotta plaques running around the full perimeter of the shrine, which are important artistic masterpieces combining Buddhist and Hindu influences, out of which half are still preserved in situ. 3. Project Objectives The project aimed to assist authorities in the preservation of cultural heritage (Paharpur) by widening the level of community participation. Specific objectives of the project were: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) the revival of traditional skills in production of terracotta plaques with focus on both quality as well as iconography and original form; to ensure conservation of terracotta plaques while providing community involvement through income generation opportunities; to provide support to the local community in using the replicas of the terracotta plaques as stable income generation and poverty alleviation tool through capacity building and provision to market access (craft fair, participation in the WCC Award of Excellence for Handicrafts); the dissemination of information laying within the terracotta plaques to local community, artisans, academia and public at large and instilling pride especially in the local community; to raise awareness about the importance as well as conservation needs of the World Heritage site. 3
4. Project Activities The project started with an on-site field visit to sensitize local partners and familiarize project implementing partners about the project site. The activities comprised of documentation of the terra-cotta plaques to understand the iconography and production details of the plaques which was useful and important baseline information for the skills trainings of traditional terracotta production. At the same time, a socio-economic and anthropological survey assessed the situation of the local community and helped identify local artisans. A set of trainings was organized for the local artisans by professionals and academia in the production skills of traditional terra-cotta plaques as well as trainings in contemporary, innovative ways of producing terra-cotta plaques and terra-cotta products inspired by the traditional plaques. The project included a revenue making opportunity for artisans through organization of terracotta craft fairs in Dhaka and at Parharpur. 4
Timeline Activity Description 2016 Data collection and analysis of all terracotta plaques in May - December Documentation situ and stored. 2016 April - July Survey Data collection and socio-economic and anthropological survey of villages surrounding Parharpur World Heritage site 2016 June - December 2017 January - March Training and Capacity Building Marketing Traditional training: training to selected local artisans in terracotta plaque making Contemporary training: training to selected local artisans in contemporary and innovative terracotta products inspired by Paharpur Terracotta plaques Organization of craft fairs at Paharpur World Heritage site and in Dhaka 5
5. Project Outputs and Achievements Activity Description Output 1. Documentation Data collection and analysis of all terracotta plaques in situ and stored Publication 2. Survey Data collection and socio-economic and anthropological survey of villages surrounding Parharpur World Heritage site Report 3. Training and Capacity Building Traditional training: training to selected local artisans in terracotta plaque making Contemporary training: training to selected local artisans in contemporary and innovative terracotta products inspired by Paharpur Terracotta plaques Training Workbooks Training Report Trained artisans female: 5 male: 20 Terracotta products Fair in Dhaka and 4. Marketing Organization of craft fairs at Paharpur World Heritage site and in Dhaka Paharpur Sales value: USD 3,000 Calendar (2017) 5.1. Plaques Documentation Under the guidance of the Department of Archaeology, ICOMOS Bangladesh carried out a documentation of the terracotta plaques in-situ at Paharpur World Heritage site. This documentation includes photos, drawings and provides relevant details of each plaque. The activity was conducted in three phases: literature review and preliminary survey, methodological photographic and photogrammetric recording and a detailed iconographic analysis. 6
The documentation identified 501 plaques in situ, which can be considered as original. This documentation will serve various purposes, from conservation, to increased information on the site s cultural history, to having an archive and status of all terracotta plaques in-situ, as well as a useful resource and teaching tool for the local stakeholders who received capacity-building in terracotta plaque making. 5.2. Socio Economic and Anthropological Survey To identify and understand the situation of the local community in the vicinity of the Paharpur World Heritage site and especially those villages with artisan communities, a socio economic and anthropological survey was conducted. The participatory survey was carefully prepared and carried out by identified experts, academia and students under the guidance of ICOMOS Bangladesh as well as with input by the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and targeted especially households with potters. The survey provided support also in the selection of the training participants. The survey identified 2 villages of potters and made a careful survey and analysis of 31 households. 7
5.3. Training traditional and contemporary Under the guidance of the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh two trainings for the identified community artisans were organized with identified trainers. Through these trainings, participants acquired the knowledge and skill set about the making of traditional terracotta plaques, crockery and dolls all of which are based on authentic examples from the site and the on-site museum. Aim was also to use this knowledge and new skill set to design and produce good quality new terracotta products which serve as suitable products for selling. At the end of the trainings the artisans are now able to produce traditional as well as new creations of terracotta plaques, crockery and dolls and have acquired a solid basis of artistic value. All participants were given an individualized handbook for both trainings, basic utensils, key tools and materials for the making of terracotta plaques and a workshop bag. A project closing report for capacity building and marketing was prepared to provide a comprehensive overview of the training and marketing components. 8
5.4. Marketing After completion of the trainings and an ongoing production phase, two terracotta fairs and exhibitions were organized in the capital Dhaka and at the Paharpur World Heritage site, to showcase and market the terracotta products created by the participating artisans throughout and after the trainings. These two terracotta fairs and exhibitions showcased the newly acquired skills of the local artisans, but more importantly served as important marketing event and experience for the local community. As planned, some relevant NGOs have committed themselves to place orders and sell the products at shops in Dhaka. 6. Project Partners Government National Ministry of Cultural Affairs of the People Republic of Bangladesh Department of Archaeology Site Level Regional Director of Bogra, Department of Archaeology Custodian of Paharpur World Heritage site 9
NGO/Organizations ICOMOS Bangladesh National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) Key Experts Project Team - Documentation Dr. Sharif Shams Imon President, ICOMOS Bangladesh Ms Ruby Guznavi Craft Expert, Executive Committee Member, National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) Mr Chandrasekhar Saha Craft Expert, President, National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) Mr. Mohammad Sazzad Hossain Dr. Mohammed Hoque Dr. Serena Hoque Mr. Tauhid Un Nabl Mr. Md Wahiduzzaman Ratul Mr. Shoumma Shams Project Team - Survey Mr. Mohammad Sazzad Hossain Ms. Sayema Chowdhury Mr. Md Wahiduzzaman Ratul Mr. Hasan Shahid Students Md. Ataur Rahman Md. Robiul Islam Ms. Samia Sabrin Rezowana Naznin Mr. Mazidul al Galib Mr. Anindya Pandit 10
Project Team Training and Marketing Mr. Chandrasekhar Saha Ms Ruby Guznavi Mr. Estambul Hoque Mr. Saifur Rahman Mr. Kamruzzaman Chowdhury Mr. Sudhangshu Pal Mr. Tarun Pal Mr. Subodh Chandra Pal Ms. Bijli Rani Pal Key Experts Mr Chandrasekhar Saha Craft Expert, President, National Crafts Council of Bangladesh Ms Ruby Guznavi Craft Expert, Executive Committee Member, National Crafts Council of Bangladesh Dr. Sharif Shams Imon President, ICOMOS Bangladesh 11
7. The Artisans A Photo Journey From Village Potter to Terracotta Artisan of a World Heritage Site 12
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