Traditional matchmakers in Jibannagar upazila of Chuadanga district, once central to arranging marriages, now find their role diminishing as the world rapidly embraces digital solutions and families turn to modern technology. Social media and matchmaking websites changed the way of connection between families.
Veteran matchmakers like Hasibul Islam, who has arranged over 500 marriages in the last 25 years, are now seeing their profession lose its relevance and financial stability.
Once Hasibul Islam was a farmer and turned to matchmaking out of personal interest. Initially, he found joy in helping families connect. However, he notes that the income is no longer sufficient, and the profession has lost its appeal.
"I used to arrange four to five marriages a month," he said, "but now I can’t manage even one in six months. Families take contact numbers from me and finalize the arrangements themselves."
45-year-old Abdul Halim, another veteran matchmaker from Mrigmari village of the same upazila, has also felt the impact. He began matchmaking as a favor to a friend, but for the past 15 years, it has been his livelihood. Having arranged over 400 marriages, Halim said that clients now bypass matchmakers with ease with the help of technology.
He further said we often go through a lot of effort, sometimes spending money to arrange meetings. But as soon as the families have each other’s contact, they cut us out of the process. A couple might say they aren’t interested, but later, I find out they preceded with the marriage without us.
The challenges are similar for Rahima Begum, a 60-year-old matchmaker from Raipur village of Jibannagar upazila. She has been active in matchmaking for over a decade but complains that clients often take her assistance and dismiss her with a small travel allowance.
According to local marriage registrar Md Alam, the role of matchmakers has drastically declined. Traditional matchmakers, unable to compete with modern technology, are now down to just a handful of individuals in this profession in Jibannagar upazila. Many have shifted to other types of jobs.
