The seven sisters of East India are known for their eco-friendly handicraft pieces. Bamboo is an important material as it is used as a fishing trap, basket, headgear etc. Some artisans even create lamps out of flexible bamboo sticks and ship it to modern cities. In this article, you will find ten bamboo products which are very useful.
Bamboo Baskets
They are made by threading the bamboo into fine strips. They might look humble but they are the very backbone of village life. They are used for carrying vegetables, they can be used for keeping fish or for drying chillies in the sun.
Paraphernalia
These ritual items are created with the help of bamboo. They are masks that are often worn during festivals. They are required for processions and are therefore both culturally and economically significant.
Bottle Carriers
Bamboo is needed to make bottle carriers, trays etc. All of these things are like an ethos for beauty. After being created from bamboo, sometimes they are sanded, lacquered and created. They have very precise finishing. Other than that, they are a fine entry point for city shopping. They can be easily sold as they are of good utility. They are often decorated with strings of beads.
Planters
There are some artisans in Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram who are taking bamboo art into completely decorative territory. These planters have a sculptors taste and design, they can make any house look bright and fashionable. They bridge folk traditions, modern artistry and gallery interior designing.
Mats
Mats are created from grids of bamboo roughly attached together which altogether creates a smooth surface. They are required for sitting, sleeping and doing household work. It showcases how adaptable bamboo is. These mats can also be dyed and decorated. Sometimes they are used as room separators. They can be used as wall art, as well since they come in a variety of sizes.
Poultry Cages
Bamboo can also be used to create poultry cages, fishing traps which helps in the rural life of Tripura and Nagaland. Animals Like small chickens are kept in these cages which are sold. Certain designs of these poultry cages have been taught for centuries.
Lamps
Bamboo lamps have become a new favourite for interior designers. Sometimes, artisans mix bamboo With brass in order to create scattered lighting. Designers love the idea of warm shadows or layered lighting in a room which is why the bamboo that is woven for these lamps is done very intricately and with precision.
Chairs
The best thing about bamboo is that It is very light weight and durable. Artisans are bending, joining And lashing bamboo in order to make chairs, stools and even bed frames. They try to give it a modern or new aesthetic by adding woven cane or bamboo slats so that people can easily sit.
Flutes
In Assam and Guwahati, artisans popularly make musical instruments out of bamboo. It requires a high amount of seasoning, drilling and tuning by ear. These bamboo flutes are amazing because of the tonal clarity that they provide.
Headgear
In Nagaland, artisans create ‘Jaapi’ or ceremonial headgear. This is created with the help of bamboo and adorned with leaves. They work as ambassadors for North East craft. Earlier, they used to be worn by farmers for shade.
In conclusion, bamboo is very nicely utilized by craftsmen of North East India. From seating to decoration to cages, bamboo plays a major role in most activities of their daily life. Therefore, it is an extremely necessary commodity.
Author
Shreeja Mukherjee