A man making / weaving a bamboo basket in Arunachal Pradesh in North East India. The basket is then used to carry meat, wrapped in leaves, through the forest. Arunachal Pradesh has a vibrant craft tradition and every tribe excels in craftsmanship. Cane and bamboo is an important craft of this area, and the workmanship is of a very high order. Many tribesmen make their own hats, which are often extremely decorative, adorned with the beaks and feathers of birds or with tufts of hair dyed red. They also make varieties of baskets, bags and other containers. There is a wide range of cane belts, woven and plain, and in northern Subansiri, tribals have even elaborately woven brassieres of cane and fibre.

Cane and bamboo is strictly men's craft and the most commonly made objects are baskets for storing ad carrying paddy, fuel and water, vessels for preparing local liquor, rice plates, bows and arrows, headgear, mats, shoulder bags, etc. ornaments and necklaces made of fine strips of bamboo and grass are also popular. Burnt pokerwork too is executed on bamboo articles. The Bangnis, Apatanis, Hill Miris and Adis are expert workers in cane and bamboo. They make beautiful baskets, bags, hats and even jewellery that speak eloquently of their skill. The Monpas and Sherdukpens do make the use of bamboo but not to the extent as in other cultural areas. Bamboo is used for basketry. Basket making is a major craft in these areas. They produce baskets, grain holders, rice beer containers, haversacks, food plates, etc. from bamboo.

Considering function i.e. the utility as the basis, the whole range of basketry taken into consideration, can be conveniently classified into the following broad divisions:

1. Carrying basket
2. Storage basket
3. Receptacle
4. Straining basket
5. Decorative basket
6. Fishing basket
7. Mat
8. Miscellaneous objects

Basket weaving (also basketry, basket making, or basketmaking) is the process of weaving unspun vegetable fibres into a basket or other similar form. People and artists who weave baskets are called basketmakers and basket weavers. Basketry is made from a variety of fibrous or pliable materials•anything that will bend and form a shape. Examples include pine straw, stem

Source: Wikipedia & http://ignca.nic.in/craft151.htm

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