BAMBOO RAIN SHIELDS
CHERRAPUNJI,WHICH lies in this region,receives
the world`s heaviest rainfall.Cultivators in the
neighbouring areas completely depends on the krup
or rain shield,that helps keep their hands free to work
on steep hill slopes,
which are characteristic to the region.The knup,shaped like an inverted teardrop when
worn,has the border end curving inwards while resting on the head.It is woven in a
hexagonal weave in two layers of locally available materials-shken,a reed bamboo;and
dry palm leaf called shlew.Two layers of palm leaves are held between the woven
layers for waterproofing and the shield is woven from strips of shken over a mould
made from bamboo splits.The outer layer is formed first in fairly large hexagons,the
splits are folded back at the edge and compacity woven a short distance into the other
elements.The inner layer is woven
more finely with dried palm leaves
tacked with bamboo pins into each
layer independently and
sandwiched,and the edges sewn
together with fine splits of
bamboo.Rain shields are made
professionally by women and sold
in weekly markets held in Khasi and
Jaintia hill districts and also sold in
Bara Bazaar in Shillong,the capital
of Meghalaya.
Production Clusters
East Khasi Hills
district:
Cherrapunji
Products
Rain shields
Carrying baskets
Winnowing trays
Storage baskets
Inset The outer layer of a rain
shield,with the bamboo mould,palm
leaves and bamboo reed splits.
1. Rain shields are made with a
mould prepared from bamboo
splits.
2. Rain shields are essential
products in the region which
receives the heaviest rainfall
in the world.
Tools
Dao-Wide-bladed
knife
Bamboo mould
BAMBOO CARRYING BASKET
THE COARSE CLOSED weaved Khasi
basket stands apart in a crowd of other
square based baskets of the northeast due
to its stark conical form with a large rim
and sides dropping off steeply to meet at a
point.Mainly used for shopping,it is
carried on the back with the help of a head
strap worn around the head.The strap is
broad braided band that is terminated at
both ends into a tubular cavity which
receives a twisted bamboo rope knotted at
one end to lock into this cavity.The base is
strengthened by four splints shaped like
long stakes to fit into the weave of
bamboo made from the node
thickness.The bamboo closed weave
carrying basket made by the Garos is
another sterling example of refined
craftsmanship.It is bigger in size
suggesting that they are able to carry
heavier loads of grain due to the hills
being less steep in their region.The base
has a double lining and the entire basket is
reinforced by broad and thick strips of
bamboo which run all along the sides of
the basket and the base.The rim detail also
gives it strength.
1. Closed weave carrying baskets
made by Khasi women,are sold in
the Bara Bazaa in Shillong.
2. Craftsman weaving a bamboo
basket in Mawlong in Ri-bhoi
district.
3. A Garo closed weave bamboo
Production Clusters
East Khasi Hills
district:
Shillong
West Garo Hills
district:
Tura
Products
Khoh-khasi
carrying basket
Garo carrying basket
basket used for carrying grain and
other shopping items
4. Miniature replicas of Khasi baskets
sold as souvenirs.