Coiled Cane Craft of Assam

In Assam coiled cane craft is not as pre-eminent as bamboo industry, though in early times it was closely related to ceremonial rites and was appreciated for its beauty. Rugged hats and head-gears are made using this craft by several hill tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. Around 80 families in the villages at Telekhalepar are involved in making and exporting elliptical, circular and rectangular coiled cane products which serve as a valuable source of employment to them.

The process of coiling involves binding the cane splits of the sundi, lailu, jati and jali varieties around a whole cane core and stitching consecutive rows together. The rigidity of the basket is determined by the frequency of the stitching. The contouring of three dimensional figures are done with great precision and experience as the craftsmen do not use moulds or jigs though some furniture piece are made with structural frame.

Kuchani , a needle with wooden handle is used along with dao/ bill hook knife and a metal wedge to make articles using this technique. Storage containers with lid, lampshade, lamp stand, boxes, coasters, shallow dish, vase, tray, table mats, sofa and stools are some of the articles that are dexterously made from a continuous coil. To prevent the items from fungus, coating of varnish or polyurethane is done when they are finished.