The Taste of Honey
By Mohammad Rakibul Hasan
Oct 2 2024 (IPS-Partners)
A resilient tiger widow from Bangladesh’s Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Shorbanu Khatun, fights climate change’s impacts. She struggles to support her children while preserving honey and Gol leaf traditions amidst worsening storms, rising salinity, and societal exclusion.
Broder Description
Shorbanu Khatun, a tiger widow in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh, the world’s largest mangrove forest, faces an unforgiving reality. After a tiger kills her husband, she joins the ranks of the “tiger widows,” women shunned by their communities for their perceived misfortune. With climate change exacerbating the already harsh conditions, Shorbanu’s life constantly struggles against rising sea levels, frequent cyclones, and salinity that destroys crops and freshwater sources.
Determined to provide for her children, Shorbanu braves the perilous forest to gather honey and Gol leaves, crucial for her family’s survival. The risks are substantial—wild animals, pirates, and the ever-present threat of debt to moneylenders. Yet, she draws strength from the community of fellow widows and the worship of Bonbibi, the forest goddess who shields them.
As the natural environment deteriorates, the seasons become extreme, and traditional livelihoods vanish, Shorbanu’s story becomes a powerful testament to resilience and hope. Her life encapsulates the broader fight against climate change, showcasing an unbreakable bond with the Sundarbans, her home and lifeline.
Credit: Mohammad Rakibul Hasan