Bangladeshi taka

The Bangladeshi taka (Bengali: টাকা, sign: ৳ or Tk, code: BDT) is the official currency of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Issuance of banknotes ৳5 and larger is controlled by Bangladesh Bank, and for the ৳1 and ৳2 banknotes, which are the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance of the government of Bangladesh. The most commonly used symbol for the taka is "৳" and "Tk", used on receipts while purchasing goods and services. ৳1 is subdivided into 100 poisha.

The word taka in Bangla is also commonly used generically to mean any money, currency, or notes. Thus, colloquially, a person speaking Bangla may use "taka" to refer to money regardless of what currency it is denominated in. This is common in the Indian state of West Bengal and Tripura, where the official name of the Indian rupees is "taka" as well.

History

The word taka is derived from the Sanskrit term tangka (ṭaṃka), which was an ancient denomination for silver coins. In the region of Bengal, the term has always been used to refer to currency. In the 14th century, Ibn Battuta noticed that people in the Bengal Sultanate referred to gold and silver coins as taka instead of dinar.

Taka (paper mache)

Taka refers to paper mache made using carved wooden sculpture used as a mold. The craft originated in the town of Paete, Laguna in the Philippines.

History

Taka was pioneered by Paete local, Maria Piday. During Christmas, Piday was in charge of the church's decorations. The wooden angels and cherub was heavy causing the carvings to fall. Piday devised the lightweight taka paper mache as an alternative to the wooden sculptures. Piday was also a maker of local toys such as the yoyo and the small acrobat hand puppet. Taka eventually became folk art and was sold to nearby towns for festivals. In the 1970s, Tere Afuang, a knowledgeable practitioner of the craft, popularized the craft.

Taka-making

A takaan, a carved wooden sculpture, is used as a mold in making taka. Brown craft paper is used as a final layer for taka made for export. This provides a thicker base and smoother finish for the craft. Taka is also painted. The traditional way of painting a taka is to use primary colors, add simple flower motifs and use repetitive lines and shapes. Gold finish, usually used in angel, reindeer and huge taka is accomplished by using gilded paper.

Taka (boat)

Taka is a traditional small boat, typical of the Black Sea shores of Turkey where they are primarily, but not exclusively, built and used. They can be used in fishing or for carrying small loads and a limited number of passengers. Although not very fast, they are well-balanced and resistant and are especially well-suited for the thick waves of the Black Sea. In Turkey, they are very often built by Laz people and are associated with Laz culture or with the wider Black Sea culture.

Description

Their length may vary between 8 to 12 meters (26 to 39 ft) and they are usually conceived in a way as to ensure a load capacity of 5 to 10 tons in weight. Those employed in fishing are generally smaller.

History

Until recent years, they were primarily built in boatyards in (from east to west on Turkey's Black Sea shores) Sürmene, Amasra, Bartın, Kurucaşile and Şile, and within İstanbul, in Silivri, Ayvansaray and Rumelikavağı districts or quarters. Even when situated in the Western Black Sea coasts of Turkey, these boatyards are usually owned, managed and staffed by boatbuilders from the eastern ends of the Black Sea.