Weavers transform murta plant fibres into mats that stay naturally cool to the touch—a tactile craft perfected over generations in Bangladesh’s waterside regions.
At a glance
Shital pati—the name means “cool mat”—is a woven mat made from the fibres of murta plants, species that thrive in wetlands across eastern Bangladesh and parts of West Bengal. The mats feel naturally cold against skin and have been used for centuries as bedding and sitting surfaces in hot climates. Decorative versions, called nakshi pati, feature intricate woven patterns.
Origins & history
The craft is rooted in the wetland ecology of the Sylhet region, where murta plants grow abundantly around water bodies. The plant itself—known locally by several names including mostak, patipata and patibet—is the sole material that produces the characteristic cool sensation, making the practice inseparable from its landscape.
The practice
Weavers harvest murta plant fibres and process them into thin, flexible strands. These are interlaced on looms to create a smooth, dense mat. The finest examples are nakshi pati—mats adorned with woven geometric and pictorial designs that emerge from the interplay of natural and dyed fibres. The finished mat, when unrolled across a bed or floor, releases a faint green scent and remains cool even on humid summer nights.
Cultural significance
Shital pati weaving connects communities to their water-dependent environment and represents a sustainable craft practice adapted to regional climate. The skill passes through families, embedding ecological knowledge and artistic sensibility in each generation. The practice sustains livelihoods in Sylhet and Noakhali, where murta-based nakshi pati remains exclusive to those districts.
Key facts
- Anchor community: Sylhet Division, Bangladesh
- Primary material: Murta plant fibres (Schumannianthus dichotomus)
- Also practised in: Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India
- UNESCO inscription: 2009 (Reference 01112)
- Coordinates: 24.49772, 91.66462
Where to experience it
The heartland of shital pati weaving is Sylhet Division in northeastern Bangladesh, where the murta plant grows in abundance and weaving communities maintain active workshops. Weavers in Sylhet and the neighbouring Noakhali district are the primary guardians of nakshi pati design, while the craft also thrives in weaving centres of Cooch Behar, West Bengal.
Sources & resources
- Shital Pati — Wikipedia
- Traditional art of Shital Pati weaving of Sylhet — UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Cultural Heritage Online
Find it on the map
See this place and what’s around it →📷 Diventa un fotografo di Cultural Heritage Online
Condividi le tue foto dei luoghi: restano pubblicate con la tua firma come autore. Più vengono viste, più ti fai conoscere — e presto un concorso premierà le foto più apprezzate.
Accedi o registrati gratis per aggiungere una foto