Fading threads of tradition: the life of Dhopa (Laundrymen) in Bakshi Bazar, Old Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

The Dhopa of Bakshi Bazar, laundrymen of Old Dhaka, Bangladesh, are an important yet disappearing thread in the city’s cultural and economic history. This paper examines their skills and craft within the context of their history and the impact of urbanization and technology on their livelihoods. The Dhopa’s meticulous washing rituals and customer ties demonstrate remarkable skills, close relationships, and fierce loyalty. Despite this, socio-economic changes coupled with mechanized laundry services are endangering this heritage. This paper advocates the need for blending tradition with modernity to sustain the Dhopa’s legacy as a cultural treasure of Old Dhaka.