'Buttenali', which makes Baglung known, at risk of disappearance

Kathmandu  - Khem Raj Gautam 'Buttenali', the artistically engraved walking stick, Baglung district is proud of for making it known to national and international level, is at risk of being disappeared. The tradition of making the 'buttenali' that dates back 200 years is almost extinct for failure to transfer this tradition to the younger generation.

Important in terms of culture and tradition, the traditional stick would attract tourists visiting the district as they buy it as a gift and for other purpose. The traditional handicraft producing the stick failing to attract youths and lack of raw materials are blamed for its disappearance, said local people. Buttenali is produced with the use of the trunk of 'Nigalo' bamboo generally with pictures of historical and political persons, various animals, flowers and landscapes engraved in it.

However, there is a lack of the bamboo species. Basanta Jung Rajbhandari of Baglung bazaar, the only one artist in the whole district to make the stick, is struggling to preserve its use. He involved in it for the past 38 years. "Young generation is not keen to this art. They do not know this art either," he said. Rajbhndari said, “Artistically engraved walking stick, which the guest visiting the district used to buy it as the identity of Baglung district for the past few years ago, is being disappeared in lack of people manufacturing the stick, appropriate publicity and means and resources.

” Saying youths are also not found attracted towards this profession, Rajbhandari added that time has come where all should be serious to protect the artistically engrave walking stick. He shared that it takes four to five days to prepare an artistically engraved walking stick and it costs around Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000. It takes long time and costs high to make it as there is no new technology to make it. Rajbhandari further said that although he tried to prepare artists making such tick, but to no avail.

Chairperson of Baglung Association of Industry and Commerce, Yubraj Rajbhandari, opined that though training related to artistically engraved walking stick was imparted to some prisoners of District Jail, Baglung, few years ago, it is being disappeared due to market problem. Similarly, such training was also imparted to 20 students of Dhaulagiri Deaf School.

Handicraft and conservation lover of Baglung are in worry thinking the artistically engraved walking stick might be limited in history. Conservationist at Baglung Handicraft Association, Prem Chhota said it would help in tourism development of the district if the identity of the Baglung could be protected and promoted. He added local government should bring a special programme for the protection and promotion of the artistically engraved walking stick.