The high-quality dye was called “Awa-ai” and the brand became known across Japan. The industry grew, and over time, processing techniques were refined, and the quality of the indigo dye was raised. The government at the time put protections on the land and actively encouraged dye production. The Yoshino River runs through northern Tokushima Prefectureĭuring the 16th century, the production of indigo dye proved lucrative for the area. The Yoshino River that runs through northern Tokushima irrigates the surrounding land, providing an ideal environment for the cultivation of the Japanese indigo plant (Perisicaria tinctoria), the plant from which indigo dye is extracted. The prefecture is around a 70-minute flight from Tokyo.Īizome dyeing in Tokushima dates back nearly 800 years, and the prefecture’s location is key to the development of the practice. Every year in August, over a million people visit the prefecture to dance in the Awa Odori Festival-a traditional folk-dance festival held over several days. Tokushima is dominated by mountains and sea. The clothes are cool in summer, warm in winter, and have antibacterial properties. Aizome, indigo dyed clothing, is made with natural dye. Aizome refers to the practice of traditional indigo dyeing. The prefecture used to be part of the Awa province, and its unique brand of indigo dye, “Awa-ai,” refers to this heritage. ![]() Dyeing fabric using plant-based natural dyes has long been part of Tokushima culture. ![]() Fifth, the expense of delivering the plant by cart or boat to factories should be borne by the factories, not the ryots.Tokushima is one of four prefectures in Shikoku-Japan’s smallest major island, located around 250 km southwest of Kyoto- and it is one of Japan’s main producers of natural indigo dye. Fourth, the selection of land for indigo should be negotiated equally by both the parties. Third, factories should pay for the stamp paper, not the ryots. Second, the contract should be simple in nature, extending not more than 12 months and there shouldn’t be any renewal if the peasant failed to meet his engagements to avoid the accumulation of debt. First, the ryot should sow indigo according to his wishes and terms. It mainly suggested the following reforms. In conclusion, the Commission declared that the relation between the planter and the ryot was in ‘unsatisfactory’ condition. A huge number of suits were filed against them. The planters used this law to further their control and oppression of the peasants. At the request of the Indigo Planters Association, Act XI of 1860 was passed which criminalized ‘Breach of Contract’ by the ryots. This especially escalated during the protest movement. The planter chose it solely according to his wish.īecause of the exploitative nature of the contract system, many ryots took advances and then refused to perform as per their contracts. The planter decided which part of land will be sown with indigo. One of them confessed to the Commission that “the cultivation is not popular because it’s not profitable and the ryot has to bear the whole brunt of the risk.”īesides, ryots did not have any say in the choice of lands. It was such an absolute truth that even the planters couldn’t deny it. How does one come to hate a crop? It was found that indigo cultivation was not profitable for the ryots at all. They were subjected to perpetual indignities, so much so that they began to hate the very name of indigo. For the ryots it was rather ‘vexation and harassment.’ They complained that time and again they were made to plough, to crush the clods, to remove stalks, to smooth the ground, until neither their time nor their labor could be called their own. This compulsion also took the shape of strict supervision of the agricultural operation by factory employees because they thought of the Bengali population as 'indolent, procrastinating and faithless' in character. In some cases, if the debt was too high, the ryot did not receive any fresh advance and was trapped into sowing indigo without it! However, the debt was deducted from the full advance amount and the ryot received only the remaining sum for the next agricultural season. Despite the debt, a fresh advance was given to him for the next season. If he had a ‘fazil’ or excess then he was paid. ![]() Between the debit and credit amount, a balance was struck and payment was made accordingly. The average return of a beegah was about 10 to 12 bundles. The credit included the value of indigo plant bundles delivered by the ryot to the factories at 4 to 8 bundles per rupee. The debit included the cost of advance (generally at two rupees per beegah), the cost of the stamp paper on which the contract was signed (two annas) and the cost of four to five seers of seeds charged at four annas per beegah. ![]() At the close of the manufacturing season in August or September, the accounts used to be drawn out.
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