The humid sub-tropical climate of the North East of India supports the growth of bamboo of 44 different varieties out of the total of 57 varieties found in the country. This region of India is hence responsible for the production of more than 60% of the total bamboo production in the country.

The abundance of this unique grass, as expected, has influenced and has become an inseparable part of the lives and tradition of its people. Numerous handicrafts and uses of bamboo & cane have cropped up in the region as a result especially baskets, which has become a domain for the men folk.

Such pieces of art or utility show a definite variety depending on the various states of the region or even specific localities. The hill tribes have a specific conical shape to their baskets, which have a small square to base to wide circular mouth with different curves on the side. They use them mainly to store rice brewed beer or for fetching water. These baskets re made from the split bamboo and are interlaced like thread weaving.

Bamboo & Cane Baskets from Mizoram:

Paikawng is the name given to the indigenous bamboo baskets of the Lushai tribe from Mizoram. Especially of use to the womenfolk to carry household items and firewood, the paikawng is essentially a strong open basket that can be carried on the back with a strong strap that can be held on the head.

Another special conical basket, which comes from the tribe of Mizoram, is called kophi. This basket is given to the daughter at the time of marriage as a dowry.

Bamboo & Cane Baskets from Assam

The plain tribes of Assam also have their signature baskets made from green bamboo, quite different from those made by their counterparts in the hills. These however are more delicate and brittle. The Bodo tribe of Assam makes a different kind of a basket making use of a mould. Brown paper is inserted in the shape of a cone into the mold to enable it to retain its shape.

Apart from these, other states of the NE also have their unique baskets and other bamboo & cane artifacts. The basket of Arunachal Pradesh is known as Agin while Manipur gives 25% of the bamboo production of the country while also being supported by Tripura with its share.