Bamboo Crafts and Associated Knowledge System of The Karbi Tribe of Assam Plains, North- Eastern India: A Cultural Heritage

Abstract

Bamboo, one of the precious plant resources of the earth, plays a cardinal role in influencing civilised life patterns in Southern and Eastern Asian countries, where they are found in abundance. It has a long history in people's lives as cultural material. India is the second richest country in the generic bamboo resources after China. In India, bamboo is one of the most important forest species and has a wide distribution throughout the country and contributes to the rural economy. The North-Eastern region of India has a rich diversity of bamboo. It is integral to the life and culture of the ethnic communities of this region. In this area, the usage of bamboo made it an indispensable commodity for the rural people. The Karbi tribe of the Assam State of India has a rich cultural heritage of arts and crafts. They are masters in the skilful tradition of bamboo craft. Bamboo is an indispensable part of their livelihood mostly in food, shelter, household items, basketry, fishing gear, musical instrument, medicine, furniture and other various ethno-religious purposes. Various bamboo craft traditions of the community get the most creative expression through skill and the traditional knowledge of craftsmanship. This knowledge is essentially community-specific and restricted to the community and is accumulated through long interaction with the environment. Nowadays, this craft tradition is on the verge of extinction due to many reasons. Therefore, it is a timely requirement to document this craft tradition associated with the traditional knowledge system and wisdom. The present study has been designed in this context. During the study, standard anthropological methods have been applied. The present paper is based on the authors' empirical findings, and it probes into the cultural heritage of bamboo crafts of the Karbi community, which is governed by traditional knowledge and skills through empiricism. The paper also focuses on the importance and cultural significance of bamboo within the said community. The study also highlights this craft tradition's present scenario and provides recommendations to revive this heritage tradition.