Once an essential tool for shielding from rain, the Juir—a traditional rain cover made from bamboo, cane, and polythene—was a common sight in rural Bengal. Known as “Juir” in the Chattogram dialect, it has now faded into obscurity with the rise of modern alternatives.
During the monsoon season, artisans would enthusiastically craft these rain shields, keeping busy with orders from farmers and laborers who relied on Juir for protection while working in the fields.
It was also displayed in households for external use. After the rainy season, it was carefully stored, and farmers could use one Juir for 2-3 years.
Today, with the advent of plastic raincoats, the Juir is seldom seen, and the artisans who once made them have nearly disappeared from the markets. However, this almost forgotten tradition can still be seen at Shalik Restaurant in Cox’s Bazar.
Sanjida Yasmin Nodi, assistant general manager of the restaurant, told Cox’s Bazar Life that they’ve preserved a Juir as part of their collection to introduce this cultural relic to younger generations.
During the rainy season, tourists can use it to place orders outside the restaurant, connecting them to a fading piece of Bengal’s rural heritage.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
