Handmade in India

TRADITIONAL BAMBOO PRODUCTS
The meiteis of Manipur have a large range of functional
and ceremonial products that are made by women all
over Imphal Valley. The ceremonial products include
baskets, trays and containers used as offerings and gift
enclosures for religious and wedding processions. These
are carried on the head according to strict local rites.
The phingaruk is a basket with a dome shaped lid
decorated with the addition f strips dyed in vegetable
dyes. Long is a fishing basket used in shallow water,
made by deforming a flat mat into a dome shaped
container with the help of two bamboo rings that
sandwich the rim. The Maring tribes who live in the
hills behind Imphal Valley make a low dining table is a
combination of bamboo splits, whole cane and split cane
binding. Its main feature is a platform of bamboo splits
tied into a lattice using split cane binding in an
interesting square knot, where each binding is identical.
The
Thumok - all purpose carrying basket made from
bamboo splits. Split cane is used in the rim and in the
binding detail on the corner for strengthening. Beside it
is the chengamuk, small bamboo basket for washing
rice. Whole bamboo of small diameter is shaved with a
knife to form a stake at one end. This stake is inserted
into the basket weave at one corner to form a let.
knot, while simple to make, does not unravel. The raised platform of
bamboo is supported by loops of cane moving along the periphery in a
cycloidal pattern. The cycloidal border is held in place between rings
of bamboo splits that form a border at the base and at the top. All the
splits are dyed in a plant dye made from shaikui, a tree bark and later
smoked, giving the product a deep brown colour.
Product Clusters
Imphal West
district:
Imphal
Patsoi
Thoubal district:
Kakching
Bishnupur district:
Moirang
Chadel district:
Palel
Sugnu
Products
Phingaruk, Thumok -
storage baskets
Long - fishing basket
Sahiruk - shallow
basket with legs
Pot rings
Leephang - Maring
dining tables
Tools
dao - bill hooked
knife
1. A meitei woman carrying items of offerings in a phingaruk to a ceremony.
2. The strengthening detail at the corners of a bamboo basket done in split cane in a distinctive feature of Manipuri baskets.
3. Maring elliptical dining table made from bamboo splits, whole cane and split cane.
4. Dining table called leephang made by the Maring tribe.
5. Phingaruk without the lid.
6. Phingaruk, a ceremonial Meitei bamboo storage basket. It consists of a container and lid and has a double walled construction.
7. Long, Meitei fish baskets made in Patsoi, Imphal Valley.