MOONJ BASKETRY
COILING IS A Basketry technique used by rural women
in Allahabad,Behraich and Gorakhpur districts in eastern
Uttar Pradesh to make objects for use in the kitchen.They
are made from moonj and rara,grasses that grow wild in
wastelands.Moonj baskets are lightweigh and weather very
well.The baskets are used in the kitchen for storig flour
and foodgrains.They are so tightly coiled that they are
almost waterproof and long-lasting.Food ,especially
rotis,flat bread,stored in them stays fresh.The moonj is
harvested in winter and the peel of the stalks left out in the
dew for about 3 days,for the colour to lighten.some Splits
are dyed in bright colours to pattern the baskets.The
binding of the baskets these days is being done with newer
material like colourfu plastic strips,tinsel and cloth.Every
girl learns to coil baskets from her mother.Baskets are
made by a mother for her daughter`s marriage.The ones for
everyday use are simpler and smaller.In Allahabad,the
craftswomen fashion baskets to earn a living unlike in the
villages whered it is a domestic craft.The baskets of the
Tharus of Behraich are distinguished by their bold forms
and stylized animal and human motifs.Special baskets with
shell tassels are maded for the bride.In Gorakhpur,the
women coil large beautifully patterned maunis,circular
baskets with large mouths and convex buttoms that are laid
in a row for the bride to step in as she leaves her home.The
bride takes some with her laden with grain,sweets and
other gifts.
Production clusters
Allahabad district:
Allahabad:
Naina
East Mahewa
Gorakhpur district:
Aurangabad village
Astrapur village
Behraich district:
Bishnupur viilage
Products
Allahabad:
Sini-bread basket
Tipari-vanity case
Placemats
Trays
Baskets
Gorakhpur:
Maunis-open baskets
Behraich:
Baithkas-circular
seats
Roti baskets
Hats
Coasters
Tools
Knife,Iron awl
1.
2.
3.
4.
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6.
7.
8.
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Kitchen baskets,Gorakhpur
Baskets from East Mahewa,Allahabad
Dowry Basket
Moonj basketry is done by
women.The red and green colours are
used for auspicious occasion and
these baskets are made for the
daughter`s dowry.
A container with a lid for keeping
valuables,Allahabad.
A moonj basket called Tipari
A round tray,Allahabad
Detail of dowry basket,Gorakhpur
Detail of tharu baithka,seat,Behraich.