As traditional conical hat (Khamauk) businesses are flourishing in Wuntho Township, Sagaing Region, the hat makers conducting the business on a manageable scale are earning well.
Earlier, conical hat businesses were only seen in Khetcho Village. Nowadays, residents in Taungbola, Kinn, and Chaungzone villages have taken up conical hat businesses due to high demand from farmers across the country. “Hat makers need to trim the bamboos for raw drawing. After that, the raw bamboos pass various stages, such as shaping and painting flowers on it. Conical hats fetch between K500 and K900, depending on the design and quality.
Moreover, conical hats are selling well in Kachin, Sagaing, and Mandalay markets because the hats are sewed into two layers with raffia, thread, plastic string, and plastic sheets,” according to Ma Nan May Oo, a conical hat maker from Taungbola Village. These days, farmers are likely to wear traditional conical hats to protect against the sun and rainfall. Apart from the farming and harvesting season, residents in Wuntho Township are conducting this business on a manageable scale to earn additional income for their family.
—Myint Tun Min (IPRD)
(Translated by La Wonn)
