Cane and Bamboo Craft of Meghalaya

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is a traditional handicraft of the Northeast Indian state, practised by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, who work the locally abundant bamboo and cane into a wide range of useful and beautiful objects. Using techniques of hand-splitting and weaving, the artisans make baskets, mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and the traditional headgear and umbrellas of the region, among many other items. The best known of the baskets is the khoh, a conical carrying basket slung from the head, which is a familiar sight in the hills of Meghalaya. The craft is bound to the daily life, farming and culture of the communities. Readers who enjoy India’s traditional crafts may also explore the traditional handicrafts of Rajasthan. This guide describes the cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya, its communities, its materials, its technique, its products and its present-day place, treating this heritage with respect throughout.

Key Takeaways

• The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is a traditional handicraft of the Northeast Indian state.
• It is practised by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities of Meghalaya.
• Artisans make baskets, mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and traditional headgear and umbrellas.
• The craft uses locally abundant bamboo and cane, worked by hand-splitting and weaving.
• The best known basket is the khoh, a conical carrying basket slung from the head.
• The craft is bound to the daily life, farming and culture of the communities.

The sections below explain what the craft is, where it is practised, which communities make it, its materials, its technique, the khoh basket, the many products and why it still matters.

Quick Facts

What Is the Cane and Bamboo Craft of Meghalaya?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is a traditional handicraft in which the communities of the state work locally abundant bamboo and cane into baskets, mats, household goods and many other objects. Practised by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, the craft uses techniques of hand-splitting and weaving to turn the bamboo and cane into useful and beautiful items for everyday life, farming, fishing and culture. Among the many products are baskets, including the well-known khoh carrying basket, mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and traditional headgear and umbrellas. The craft is bound to the daily life and material culture of the communities and reflects the abundance of bamboo and cane in the hills of Meghalaya. Its hand-woven character defines it. The craft is a distinctive handicraft of the Northeast. It belongs to the communities of Meghalaya. It serves both use and tradition.

Where Is the Craft Practised?

The cane and bamboo craft is practised across Meghalaya, a state in the Northeast of India known for its hills, forests and heavy rainfall, which support the growth of bamboo and cane. The craft is found among the communities of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hills, the three main regions of the state, each home to its own community and traditions. In villages and homes across these hills, the artisans work the bamboo and cane into the objects of daily life, drawing on the abundant raw material of the surrounding forests. The craft is identified closely with Meghalaya and its communities, so that it is a marker of the state’s material culture. The forests and the skills of the people provide the foundation for the craft. The craft belongs to the hills of Meghalaya. It is found among the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. The state and the craft are closely bound together.

Which Communities Practise the Craft?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is practised by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, the main indigenous peoples of the state, each of whom works the bamboo and cane of their region. The Khasi and Jaintia of the eastern hills and the Garo of the western hills all have traditions of making baskets, mats, household goods and other objects from bamboo and cane, adapted to their own needs and customs. The knowledge and skill of the craft are held within families and communities and passed down through the generations, so that the tradition is sustained from one generation to the next. As with all indigenous communities and their heritage, these communities and their traditions deserve to be treated with respect and understood within their own context. The craft belongs to the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo. Each works the bamboo of their region. The communities carry the tradition. Their skill keeps the craft alive.

What Materials Are Used: Cane and Bamboo?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya uses locally abundant bamboo and cane, the two natural materials that give the craft its name and character. Bamboo, a fast-growing woody grass, provides strong, light and flexible material that can be split and woven, while cane, the stem of climbing palms, provides tough, pliable material often used for binding, finishing and finer work. Both grow abundantly in the forests and hills of Meghalaya, supported by the state’s climate and heavy rainfall, so that the artisans have ready access to the raw material. The artisans select and prepare the bamboo and cane, splitting them into strips for weaving and shaping. The use of these local materials roots the craft firmly in its landscape. Bamboo and cane are the foundation of the craft. Both grow abundantly in Meghalaya. The artisans split and weave them. The materials give the craft its character and tie it to the land.

Why Are Cane and Bamboo So Abundant in Meghalaya?

Cane and bamboo are abundant in Meghalaya because the state’s hills, forests and heavy rainfall provide ideal conditions for their growth, giving the communities a ready supply of raw material. Meghalaya is known for its very high rainfall and its forested, hilly landscape, which support the lush growth of bamboo and the climbing palms that yield cane. This natural abundance has made bamboo and cane a central part of the material culture of the state, used not only in handicraft but in building, farming and daily life. The ready availability of the material has sustained the craft over the generations, allowing the communities to make the many objects of bamboo and cane that mark their way of life. The climate and forests supply the material. Bamboo and cane grow abundantly. The abundance sustains the craft. The natural wealth of Meghalaya underlies the tradition.

How Is the Craft Made?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is made by hand-splitting the bamboo and cane into strips and then weaving and shaping them into the finished objects. The artisan selects and prepares the bamboo or cane, splitting it with a knife into strips of the required thickness and width, and then weaves these strips together to build up baskets, mats and other items. Cane is often used for binding, edging and finer work, giving strength and a smooth finish to the objects. The weaving follows patterns and techniques passed down within the communities, suited to the particular object being made, whether a carrying basket, a mat or a fishing trap. The whole process is done by hand and relies on inherited skill. Because practices vary, methods differ between artisans and communities. Hand-splitting and weaving are the heart of the craft. The strips are woven into objects. The handwork defines the craft.

What Is the Khoh Carrying Basket?

The khoh is the best-known basket of the Meghalaya cane and bamboo craft, a conical carrying basket slung from the head and used to carry loads in the hills. Worn with a strap across the forehead so that the basket rests on the back, the khoh is a familiar sight in Meghalaya, used by people to carry produce, firewood, goods and other loads along the hill paths. Made by hand from woven bamboo and cane, the conical shape and the head-strap are suited to carrying loads over the hilly terrain of the state. The khoh is both a practical tool of daily life and a characteristic object of the craft, closely identified with the communities of Meghalaya. The khoh is the signature basket of the craft. It is a conical carrying basket. It is slung from the head by a strap. The khoh is a familiar and useful object in the hills of Meghalaya.

What Other Baskets and Mats Are Made?

Besides the khoh, the artisans of Meghalaya make many other baskets and mats of bamboo and cane for carrying, storage and daily use. Baskets of various shapes and sizes are made for carrying and storing produce, grain, fish and goods, each suited to its purpose, while mats of woven bamboo and cane are made for sitting, sleeping, drying produce and other household uses. These objects are woven by hand from split bamboo and cane, following the patterns and techniques of the communities. The range of baskets and mats reflects the many needs of daily life, farming and the household that the craft serves. The variety shows the versatility of bamboo and cane in the hands of the artisans. Many baskets and mats are made. They serve carrying, storage and household use. They are woven by hand from bamboo and cane. The range reflects the needs of daily life in Meghalaya.

What Household and Farming Items Are Made?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya produces a wide range of household and farming items, including stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and many other objects of daily use. Stools and simple furniture of bamboo and cane serve in the home, while winnowing fans are used to clean and separate grain, and fishing traps of woven bamboo are used to catch fish in the streams and rivers of the hills. These items, made by hand from the local material, serve the farming, fishing and household life of the communities, reflecting the many uses of bamboo and cane. The craft thus provides not only baskets and mats but a whole range of practical goods for everyday life. The versatility of the material and the skill of the artisans produce this variety. Stools, winnowing fans and fishing traps are among the many items. They serve farming and household life. The craft meets the daily needs of the communities.

What Is the Traditional Headgear and Umbrella?

Among the distinctive products of the Meghalaya cane and bamboo craft are the traditional headgear and umbrellas or rain-shields woven from bamboo and cane, suited to the wet climate of the state. In a land of very heavy rainfall, the communities traditionally made rain-shields and head-coverings of woven bamboo and cane, sometimes combined with leaves, to protect against the rain while leaving the hands free for work. These items, worn especially by those working in the fields, are a characteristic product of the craft and reflect the adaptation of the communities to their rainy environment. Made by hand from the local material, they are both practical and distinctive. The traditional rain-shields show the craft’s response to the climate. They are woven from bamboo and cane. They protect against the heavy rain. The headgear and umbrellas are a distinctive part of the craft heritage of Meghalaya.

Who Are the Artisans?

The artisans of the Meghalaya cane and bamboo craft are members of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, who carry the knowledge and skill of the craft passed down through the generations. In the villages and homes of the hills, the making of bamboo and cane objects has long been part of daily life, with the skills learned within families and the community and sustained from one generation to the next. For many, the craft is both an inherited tradition and a source of useful goods and livelihood, whether for household use or for sale. As with all indigenous communities and their heritage, the artisans and their traditions deserve to be treated with respect and understood within their own context. The artisans are the living heart of the craft. They belong to the communities of Meghalaya. Their skill keeps the tradition alive. They carry the bamboo and cane heritage of the state.

What Role Does the Craft Play in Meghalaya's Life?

The cane and bamboo craft plays an important role in the daily life, farming and culture of Meghalaya, providing the objects that serve the communities in their homes and fields. From the khoh carrying basket to mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and rain-shields, the products of the craft are woven into the everyday life of the people, meeting practical needs across the hills. The making of these objects is part of the material culture and economy of the communities, with the skills and traditions passed down through the generations. The craft also carries the identity of the communities and reflects their close relationship with the bamboo and cane of their forests. As a living tradition, it is part of the heritage of Meghalaya. The craft serves the daily life of the communities. Its products are everywhere in the hills. It carries the identity of the people. It is part of the state’s living heritage.

What Is the History of the Craft?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya has a long history as a traditional handicraft of the state, though its precise early origins rest on tradition rather than exact record. For generations, the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities have worked the abundant bamboo and cane of their forests into the baskets, mats, household goods and other objects of daily life, developing the techniques and products suited to their needs and environment. The craft became part of the material culture and daily life of the communities, closely tied to farming, fishing and the household in the hilly, rainy landscape of Meghalaya. In more recent times, the craft has drawn wider attention as a distinctive handicraft of the Northeast. Because much of the early story rests on tradition, it is best described in general terms as part of the communities’ heritage. What is clear is that the craft is long-rooted in the life of Meghalaya. Its history lies in the communities and their forests.

Does Meghalaya Cane and Bamboo Craft Have a GI Tag?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is recognised as a distinctive traditional handicraft of the Northeast, valued as part of the rich craft heritage of the state and its communities. It is admired for its hand-woven baskets, mats and household goods and for its close tie to the daily life of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities. Whether particular cane and bamboo products of Meghalaya hold a specific Geographical Indication is best confirmed with the official Geographical Indications Registry and the relevant state authorities, since the status of individual crafts can vary and change over time, and details should be checked rather than assumed. Whatever the formal position, the craft is clearly and strongly identified with Meghalaya and its communities. Recognition and heritage interest help protect the craft and sustain its makers. They also encourage the making and buying of genuine handicraft. The bond between the craft and its communities remains central to its identity.

How Can You Buy Authentic Cane and Bamboo Products?

Authentic Meghalaya cane and bamboo products can be bought from recognised handicraft emporiums, cooperatives, craft fairs, the villages themselves and reputable stores that identify the goods as genuine hand-woven work of the state. A genuine piece is woven by hand from bamboo and cane, showing the character and slight natural variation of handwork rather than the uniform look of machine or mass-produced goods. Buyers can examine the weaving, feel the quality of the bamboo and cane, and ask about the artisan and the community, whether buying a khoh basket, a mat, a stool or another item. Buying from recognised emporiums, cooperatives, village artisans or known makers helps income reach the makers and supports the craft and the communities. Careful and respectful buying rewards genuine craftsmanship. It secures a true piece of Meghalaya’s heritage. It also supports the artisans of the state and helps keep the tradition alive.

The Cane and Bamboo Craft of Meghalaya Today

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya today remains a living tradition of the Northeast, valued for its hand-woven baskets, mats and household goods and for its close tie to the daily life of the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities. Artisans of the state continue to make the khoh carrying basket and the many other objects of bamboo and cane, while the craft also reaches new admirers through interest in traditional, handmade and sustainable crafts. The natural, renewable character of bamboo and cane has added to the appeal of the craft in recent times, bringing wider attention and some new markets for the makers. At the same time, the tradition faces real challenges, including competition from plastic and factory-made goods, fair returns for the artisans and the need to pass on the skills to new generations. Readers can support the tradition by choosing genuine Meghalaya cane and bamboo products through recognised sources. The craft endures as a distinctive handicraft of the Northeast. Its hand-woven goods keep a long tradition alive.

Sources & Further Reading

• Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India (handicrafts.nic.in).
• Geographical Indications Registry, Government of India (ipindia.gov.in).
• Directorate of Commerce and Industries, Government of Meghalaya.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is a traditional handicraft in which the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities work locally abundant bamboo and cane into baskets, mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps, traditional headgear and many other objects, using techniques of hand-splitting and weaving.

Which communities practise the craft?

The craft is practised by the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo communities, the main indigenous peoples of Meghalaya, who work the bamboo and cane of their regions. The knowledge and skill are held within families and communities and passed down through the generations, sustaining the tradition.

What is the khoh basket?

The khoh is the best-known basket of the Meghalaya cane and bamboo craft, a conical carrying basket slung from the head by a strap across the forehead. Made by hand from woven bamboo and cane, it is used to carry produce, firewood and other loads along the hill paths and is a familiar sight in the state.

What materials are used in the craft?

The craft uses locally abundant bamboo and cane. Bamboo provides strong, light and flexible material that can be split and woven, while cane, the stem of climbing palms, provides tough, pliable material used for binding, edging and finer work. Both grow abundantly in the forests and hills of Meghalaya.

What products are made from cane and bamboo in Meghalaya?

Artisans make a wide range of products, including the khoh carrying basket and other baskets, mats, stools, winnowing fans, fishing traps and traditional headgear and rain-shields. These serve the carrying, storage, farming, fishing and household needs of the communities.

Does Meghalaya cane and bamboo craft have a GI tag?

The cane and bamboo craft of Meghalaya is recognised as a distinctive handicraft of the Northeast. Whether particular products hold a specific Geographical Indication is best confirmed with the official Geographical Indications Registry and the relevant state authorities, as the status of individual crafts can vary and should be checked rather than assumed.