Local artisans determined to continue producing original handicraft work |28 August 2023
Mrs Cassimir displays some of her work (Photo: Contributed)
While it is a fact that a lot more effort and encouragement are required to keep the traditional handicraft sector alive as young people are losing interest in the trade and older handicraftsmen are gradually downing their tools and their old tired fingers refuse to twist and turn the different fibres to produce their handiwork, there are still a few persistent individuals who, despite being over 60 years, are determined to continue working.
Simon Marie of Mont Plaisir, Anse Royale and Zilida Cassimir of Grand Anse Mahe are two such determined individuals whom I met recently and they shared their thoughts on the work and the sector as a whole.
Mr Marie has been producing handicraft work for several years now even though he cannot remember when he really got started.
‘’I remember many years ago when I was working at the P&J Hardware Store and there was a lot of paint samples lying around and instead of throwing them away I took them home and said to myself ‘why not do something worthwhile with them’,” Mr Marie recalled.
He recounted that at the beginning he did some paintings on pieces of wood as he gradually tried to find out what aspects of the handicraft sector really interested him and on which he wanted to focus.
“After some time, I realised I had developed a great interest in wood and coconut shell carvings using a variety of power tools to make exquisite designs. Over time I bought more tools to improve on and give the good finishing touches to my handiwork,’’ Mr Marie said.
Mr Marie remarked that in no time he had assembled a remarkable number and assortment of artifacts, big and small, namely tortoises, fish, coco-de-mer nuts, sea turtles to name but some which he had painstakingly polished and varnished.
“At the end of the day I believe my interest in handicraft came from my mother, a teacher who also taught handicraft during her long career in education that spanned several decades. Affectionately known by many especially by those whom she had taught as Miss Marthe, my mother had a remarkable talent in producing a variety of handicraft pieces,” said Mr Marie.
He went on to add that he also believes he has some hidden talents which at some point in time just come out and when this happens, he just has to know how to handle them and put them into practice through his different innovative creations.
Describing himself as a very curious person with a great desire to learn new things, Mr Marie said he does a lot of research which helps him to continue improving his work as well as create new pieces of handicraft.
Great love for locally produced craft work
Mr Marie still recalls when he completed his first batch of different objects made from pieces of wood and coconut shells.
“It was not easy to begin with and not economically viable at all, but I enjoyed doing it and over the years my love for this type of work has grown and gradually I see myself finding ways to continue improving and also to work faster and in a more professional way,” Mr Marie admits.
He went on to note that he has not followed any formal training apart from attending a few sessions orgnised by the Small Enterprise Promotion Agency (Senpa) and now Enterprise Seychelles Agency (Esa) which were more geared towards improving packaging and labelling of the finished products, ideas and tips which he said he welcomed and appreciated.
Mr Marie said he adores working with coconut shell which, according to him, is a strong and durable material, and he has described local wood, especially kalis dipap, as soft and very easy to craft.
Since he has committed himself fully to produce handicraft work, he has not regretted making the choice and Mr Marie said his clients are very satisfied with the pieces he produces for them and more importantly they appreciate the finishing and quality of the items he delivers.
“This makes me very happy and proud of myself and it also encourages me to continue to innovate, improve on the quality and raise the standard of my work. I am also ready to produce artefacts both in small and big quantities as well as individual pieces to satisfy my clients,” said Mr Marie.
Lack of creativity and innovation among artisans
While he adores doing what he does, strives to create new things to please his clients, keeps his different products exciting and always relevant and in demand, Mr Marie believes many artisans are killing the local handicraft sector.
“There is a lack of creativity and innovation among artisans. Handicraft products on the market have become monotonous and boring to some extent. Artisans are producing almost the same things all round. Some of them are importing handicraft items in bulk from abroad and modifying them to mislead customers into believing they are locally produced and this is not good as it is killing local production,” Mr Marie remarked.
He went on to point out that there is a need for concerned authorities like the Ministry of Investment Entrepreneurship and Industry as well as Esa to step in to address the matter before the production of original handicraft work dies out completely.
“Such practice does not portray well on our tourism industry and yet we continue to see it happening and nothing is being done about it. But the sad thing about this is that visitors to our country know that these handicraft pieces are not made here because they travel the world and see them in other places as well,” Mr Marie pointed out.
Mr Marie is of the view that Seychellois artisans should instead focus on improving their products, innovate and bring in new creations rather than try to increase their income by selling craft work made by other people and pretending it is theirs.
Better support and encouragements for artisans
While there have been some moves recently by the Creative Seychelles Agency and other bodies to encourage young people to take an interest in local handicraft, Mr Marie believes more needs to be done to encourage more youths to join the sector. He said existing artisans should have regular training in ways to upgrade and improve their products, noting that both local and foreign expertise should be sought in this area.
Mr Marie went on to point out that while many of our skilled artisans are getting old and gradually losing their ability and strength to produce handicraft work which is unique to our islands, some younger ones have, for different reasons, ventured into completely different fields of work.
“My biggest worry is that handicraft products from abroad will continue to flood the local market and kill local production. I am sad because believe me, producing local handicraft pieces is very fulfilling if you are passionate about it. There is a lot to learn and once you have your ideas and realise them, you will no doubt be satisfied with your work and I am sure nothing will stop you from developing further,” said Mr Marie.
But he also noted that numerous challenges exist in handicraft production and these include low demands and poor sales at times, scarcity of quality raw materials among other related problems.
On a concluding note, Mr Marie is urging all artisans who are determined to continue producing original pieces, not to be disappointed but to seek as much advice as possible from wherever they can, to knock on different doors, talk to fellow artisans and not to be afraid to stand up and explore all possible opportunities.
“I firmly believe that it is one field of work which has a lot of prospects and possibilities waiting to be explored,” Mr Marie remarked.
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Zilida Cassimir: ‘I have been doing handicraft work all my life and I am still passionate about it’
With over 40 years’ experience producing ring dolls, sega dolls, traditional dolls and other handicraft work, Zilida Cassimir still has a great passion for what she does.
“While at my age I am eager to continue to do what I love and enjoy doing until I lose my vision, I believe a lot more needs to be done nationally to encourage our young people to keep this local industry alive,” Mrs Cassimir remarked.
Gradually over the years she ventured into making other handicraft works using other materials like tanmi koko and rafya. These include fruit baskets, table mats, lampshades, bags of all types among other items.
As a small child she lived and went to school at Anse Boileau but she eventually left school at a very tender age to help her mother take care of her younger siblings. Then her family moved to La Misère and it was there that they befriended a foreign couple who lived close to them and a lady taught her how to make these different types of dolls.
“I remember at that time the lady was looking for local people to teach and help her make these dolls. As I was out of school and not working, I got really interested to learn and develop my skills in this craft work,” Mrs Cassimir said.
She recalled that in the beginning many young girls turned up and seemed eager to acquire the skills but later they lost interest.
Mrs Cassimir said she eventually bought herself a Butterfly brand manual sewing machine which she used to sew the dolls at home.
“I remember the lady would cut out different patterns in numerous coloured pieces of cloth which we could take home to sew in our own time. I was really happy that I could sew at home,” she said.
She has been making these dolls since she was around 18 years old and now aged over 60, Mrs Cassimir is showing no sign of giving up.
“I enjoy sewing the different coloured pieces of cloth to transform them into dolls after filling them up with soft fibre. It is really fun,” she said.
She recalled that during those days the dolls were sold at the then Reef Hotel, Mahe Beach Hotel and Beau Vallon Beach Hotel.
She recalled that after their foreign neighbours left and the doll-making business phased out, most of her friends stopped making them but she continued to do so, thus keeping her newly-acquired skills alive. She also looked for other outlets to sell her products, namely at the then Codevar and gradually at many more other sales point like the Artisans Des Iles souvenir shop opposite the post office in town, the Duty Free, Pineapple Studio as well as at the Victoria Market.
But Mrs Cassimir regrets the fact that not many of the other girls continued in the handicraft business.
She pointed out that until now she is still very passionate about her craft which she says still brings her some money to make ends meet.
Other than her handicraft work, Mrs Cassimir’s other great passion is flowers. She has a flower nursery at home and a large variety of both flowering and non-flowering plants and from which she also produces saplings for sale.
“I adore flowers and I enjoy taking care of my plants, they are a form of therapy for me,” said Mrs Cassimir.
Handicraft sector full of potential but also challenges
While she is firmly convinced that the handicraft sector is full of potential and is yet to be tapped fully, Mrs Cassimir admits that the main challenge remains the availability of quality raw materials on the local market. She said with the skills she has, she would like to produce items from the local vakwa as well as vetiver.
“These raw materials are becoming so scarce that I have to explore other alternatives,” remarked Mrs Cassimir who added that she sources some of the materials she needs locally and also brings quite a significant amount from neighbouring Mauritius.
She also regrets the fact that not many young people nowadays want to commit themselves and invest their energy and passion into producing original handicraft items.
“There needs to be more encouragement in schools like before and people who decide to venture in the sector should be passionate about it and do it with their heart but not to bring in craft from other countries and alter them. This is not good for us, we have to respect our traditional way of doing our handicraft. One can earn a living from handicraft if one is determined, eager to innovate on the items produced and passionate about the work itself,” Mrs Cassimir remarked.
Contributed
