Bamboo in Orissa: Trade and Livelihood Perspective - Vasundhara

All rights reserved by VASUNDHARA(www.vasundharaorissa.org). For any clarification, contact author at sunlit1968@yahoo.co.in
The cutters sometimes risk their life while working in the forests. In some cases, there is a
threat of elephant attack. Besides, in some culms/clumps dangerous snakes like boda
(viper) and chiti (krait) are encountered. Hence, any negligence or absent-mindedness can
be fatal.
In some cases the cutters camp inside the forests when they are far away from their home.
Group work gives them strength and confidence to face the challenges and it is for this
reason that some of them take their families with them.
Processing:
Bamboo is processed differently for different kinds of use. Green/mature bamboo poles are
either directly used or are split longitudinally for house-building purposes. Thorns are
removed with the help of an axe or similar instrument before any such use. However,
untreated thorny bamboo is directly used for fencing purpose.
Sometimes bamboo of 0.5 to 1.5 inches diameter are required not only for house-building
purposes, but also for other specific reasons, like for use as a walking stick, or as a
protecting weapon. For such kind of specific use, the bamboo needs to be straight, solid,
strong, and free from thorns, etc.. Ideal pieces of this kind are hardly available, particularly
if searched in thorny bamboo culms.Hence, some additional processing is required for
whatever available material. For instance, pieces that are not straight are subjected to heat
treatment(baking on open fire, particularly after applying a coating of oil).
Green culms are sometimes immerged in ponds or other water bodies for few days. This
helps in increasing their durability because some water-soluble substances, which facilitate
insect attack, are leached out in this process (Roonwal et al 1966 quoted in Seethalakshi K.
& Muktesh Kumar M. 1998, Bamboos of India, p.65).
Weaving is the most intricate part of non-industrial bamboo processing. On the basis of the
strength of the bamboo cane, it can be divided into three classes, as under:
1. Coarse: This requires more muscle power as the strips used are thicker and wider
than those used in the other two. Large bamboo mat-like structures, which are even
used as a substitute of bricks 14 in making mud houses, are a product of this kind of
weaving. Also belong to this class are the rodara (large basket-like constructions
used for transporting various materials from one place to another and the huge jarlike
structure used for storing paddy. The jhudi used by labourers for removing soil,
stone and other such things at construction sites is also a product of this kind of
weaving.
2. Medium: In this case, the products are of comparatively smaller size(unlike rodara)
and thin strips are used in them. A wide range of products belong to this class
which include paan-jhudi to kula.
14 Mud is applied on both sides of this mat(vertically fixed) to construct the wall.
34