Handicrafts of the North-East Region
Assam
Assam is renowned for its tea plantations and
its diverse culture of its ethnic communities.
These communities have highly artistic
people, and they involve themselves in a
variety of crafts. The handicrafts produced in
the state encompass bamboo works, reed
mats, terracotta art, brassware and pottery.
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh has a
tradition, and every tribe
vibrant craft
excels at the
craftsmanship. The ambit of crafts includes
carpet making, masks, painted wood vessels,
bamboo and cane crafts, woodcarving, bead
craft and other miscellaneous crafts. They also
make numerous articles with goat hair, ivory,
boar tusks, beads of agate and other stones.
Manipur
Manipur is a mosaic of traditions and cultural
practices. Of the numerous colourful crafts
of Manipur, the major ones are the black-
clay stone pottery, bell metal bowls, cane and
bamboo crafts and mats made of spongy
reeds. Beautiful dolls and toys of straw and
clay are also made in Manipur.
Meghalaya
Meghalaya is known for its various art and crafts.
Apart from cane and bamboo works, artistic
textile weaving and wood carving are practiced
here. The state is the apex centre for pineapple
crafts in the country, wherein the fibre from the
Pineapple leaves is used for making various types
of nets, bags and purses.
Handicrafts
Nagaland
The arts and crafts of Nagaland mainly include
weaving, basketry, woodwork and jewellery. The
Naga people prepare different products using shells
and beads, birds’ wings and flowers. They are also
known for pottery, wherein they make earthen pots
by hand, without using the wheel. They also prepare
woodcarvings, generally associated with religious
beliefs and practices, apart from creating objects for
dailyuse, like utensils.
Sikkim
Sikkim is renowned for the hand-woven
woolen carpets, with Sikkimese motifs.
Other crafts found in the state are thangka
paintings, carpets, handlooms, wooden
carved and painted items, wooden masks,
cane and bamboo works, traditional hats
and caps, embroidered products and stuffed
dolls.
Mizoram
Mizoram is the land of a number of craftsmen
and skilled artisans excelling in various
crafts. The Mizo’s dexterity in wicker-work
and basketry is well known. The traditionally
skilled artisans make bamboo products such
as baskets, utensils, hats, handcrafted
furniture and flower vases. Other crafts
include weaving, jewellery, musical
instruments, wood carving and pottery.
Tripura
The craftsmen of Tripura are highly skilled in
creating excellent handicrafts. The different
ethnic groups of the state are perfect in
bamboo and cane work; theyproduce
bamboo baskets, fences and furniture.
Among other crafts, artisans are involved in
pottery and terracotta art. Few villages in
Tripura are also known for their pressed clay
work.