River gypsies in Bangladesh (1)
Listen, Say & do
E. Suppose you were with Sohan. Ask the bedey woman some more questions that you would like to. For example, you can ask questions to know about her family members, their names, age, work, their past living places, future plans, food habit, etc.
1. May I know your name?
2. Who are there in your family?
3. How many children do you have?
4. What are the places you have been to?
5. Can you describe what you love about this life?
F. Have you ever seen any gypsies/bedey/snake charmers or any person selling things from door to door in your area? Write your experience about any one of them.
I had once met a snake charmer at my village home. I went to the bazaar and saw a crowd. More people were gathering at the place and a unique flute music was being played. I could guess that it was the tune of a snake charmer and by curiosity, I went to see what the hustle was about. I found the man in the middle of the crowd. He was making movements with his hands, approaching and attracting the snake. The snake was moving in a way that looked like dancing. It was very amusing. After the show was over, the crowd applauded and the man received quite a sum of money. I went to the man and found out that he has several boxes, each with a different kind of snakes. He said that he would move on to the next village to perform another show there. This is how he earned his living in winters.
D. In summer vacation last May, Sohan went to Lauhajang in Munshigonj to visit his maternal uncle. His elder cousin, Jihan studies sociology at Dhaka University. One afternoon, Jihan took Sohan to a bedey camp to know about their life. They talked to a middle aged bedey woman who was cooking in front of her tent. Read the conversation and do the following activity.
Jihan : Good afternoon. Can I ask you a few questions?
Woman: Good afternoon. Umm..... you see I'm busy cooking. I've to feed my son and then... ;
Jihan : Well, I won't take much time. Just a few questions if you please....
How long have you been here in this camp?
Woman : Four months. Since last January. And if it rains, we're going to rivers again next month.
Jihan : What do you do for a living?
Woman : We catch fishes. Our men are snake charmers and we heal toothache and joint pains of old people.
Jihan : How do you heal people?
Woman : With traditional herbs and healing art.
Jihan : Well, if you don't mind, how much do you earn?
Woman : Not enough. About 3000 taka per month. Now many people don't believe in our remedies. They go to doctors. So we go to remote villages...
Jihan : What about your son? I guess he is already 5. Does he go to school?
Woman : Not yet. But I've heard about mobile boat-schools in rivers. I'll try to find one for my son.
F. Now discuss in pairs and write the answers to the questions that you prepared for the interview.