Artisan demonstrates weaving of bamboo baskets at Hornbill Festival at Kisama. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | December 8
Visit Naga Craft Portfolio (Craft Scape) corner and meet Naga artisans, who are demonstrating different form of craft at the ongoing 24th Hornbill Festival 2023 at 2nd World War Museum arena, Kisama. Organised by Tribal Weave, the live demonstration starts from 10:00 am till 3:30 pm daily.
Among the many, meet artisan from Khuza village of Phek district who demonstrate the weaving of huge bamboo basket for grain storage.
Crafting basketry is an age-old craft of leisure practiced by the elderly male members of the family in the traditional rural life of Nagaland. It was never a profession in the past which has now led to dwindling skills in present times. Bamboo and cane basketry is not endeared as art in local economies like Nagaland.
Rather it is an intrinsic part of daily life and activity engaged upon in producing essential household items like a variety of baskets, bamboo tubes for carrying water, containers, cutlery, plates, weaving implements, fishing and hunting traps, extending to adornments, head gears, music instruments and large grain baskets for storing the year’s harvest.
The Chakhesangs of Phek district are known for their exemplary skills in crafting huge bamboo basketry for storing grains. In order to craft the basket, the collection of raw materials begins from August to October.
Special attention is given to source fully grown bamboo ranging from one to two years from a site where the bamboo grove is in a shaded and cold place.
Depending on the desired height of the grain basket, the bamboo is cut into long slats and splits into thin silvers which are smoothen using a dao (machete).
The grain basket has two layers of woven bamboo for sturdiness, durability and to maintain the shape of the huge size.
To protect the grain from rats and insects a pointed lid cover is woven and placed on the top of the basket. An artisan usually makes the huge container for personal use and in the past, it was a commodity of exchange in barter trade.
