Walking with the aid of a cane, a Debe man continues to weave baskets and sell them on the streets of San Fernando during the COVID-19 pandemic.
And he has a message of hope for people who are ready to give up because of pandemic frustration.
Madain Ramdass, 60, a former farm attendant said he survived many trials but none was as bad as what he endured this year when he developed foot ulcers and had to be hospitalised.
“There was a time I felt that I won’t be able to walk again, but I made it through and today I can still make a living selling my baskets on the streets,” Ramdass said.
Most times, Ramdass carries seven baskets, some with lids, beautifully polished. He goes to the Central Market and along the bustling Mucurapo Street, offering his items for as low as $35.
Ramdass said the materials for the basket weaving is obtained from the Coromandel forests. He then takes it to his home at Mohess Road, Debe where he fashions them for sale.
Since Ramdass fell ill he has been unable to go in search of his precious vines which he uses to make his range of basketry.
“I had some materials left back from 2019 and this is what I am using now but when it is finished, I will need more,” he said. Ramdass never had children of his own but he has taught his trade to many youths from his hometown.
“I taught them how to go to the ministry and apply to get the license, how you make the product and how you market it. I left them with ways to make an extra income but nobody has ever continued what I taught them,” he said.
He added, “There is plenty of material in the forest but when you harvest you must leave back some of the mamoo vines so you will continue to have a supply of materials,” he said.
The aerial vines used are a parasite and Ramdass said they are durable and suited for basketry.
Saying his father was a woodworker, Ramdass said he knew a lot about the forests.
“My parents made baskets for a living. My dad was a woodworker in the forest. I remember when matches were three cents per box. Back then the matchwood or jereton wood was readily available. The matchbox used to be wooden also and if the box gets wet it will still light,” he added.
Despite his disability, Ramdass said he will still go into the forests once it was dry. He said he wanted the opportunity to teach students about basketry.
“I have to be careful with COVID but I don’t want our people to lose this craft,” Ramdass said.
He added that although the pandemic had left many jobless, there was still hope.
“Don’t give up. There are many opportunities that are available. You have to look at your skills and find ways to survive. In my teenage years, I used to make doubles and sell. People must eat and the food trade is always a good place to start if you are jobless,” he added.
He noted that half a bread was better than no bread at all so while the economy slows down, people should simplify their lives and plan for the hard times ahead.
Ramdass said he produces tokens for weddings at a cost of $15 and baskets that range from $30 to $100.
Anyone hoping to contact Ramdass can call him at 482-2564 or 464-2684.
