Cane and Bamboo Utility and Decor Products of Gujarat

Bamboo and cane are the most commonly used materials in the daily lives of the people of Gujarat. The western part of Gujarat is engaged in making bamboo articles.

Bamboo is often accompanied by cane to make various home utility items. Cane is also used on its own to craft several items. The raw materials are cut, scraped and split. A kerosene lamp and blowlamp are used to bend these materials and give them the desired shape. The parts are attached using adhesive and nails and then rubbed with sandpaper and dabbed with a coat of varnish before they are sent to the market.

The articles are wholly handcrafted by using various kinds of tools like a hacksaw, dao/bill hook knife, kerosene lamp, thread and needle, blowlamp, sandpaper, adhesive, nails and varnish.

The articles produced are hand fans, brooms, toys, lampshades, clock frames, photo frames, trays, animal figurines, spice boxes, containers and clothes-hangers. Bamboo mats are woven on the loom using split bamboo pieces.

The government and design institutes are making efforts and investing in the research and development of bamboo crafts.