Lack of raw materials and marketing mechanism hurts bamboo artisans

The traditional craft of bamboo weaving, which was a major source of income for tribal artisans during the harvesting season, is facing a tough time in Wayanad district.

Bamboo artisan families are grappling with multiple challenges, including shortage of raw material, lack of an institutionalised marketing mechanism and a deluge of plastic household items in the market.

A few decades ago, bamboo utility products such as baskets, mats, fish traps, cradle and various household items were in huge demand among the farming community, especially bamboo baskets found takers during the harvest season of crops like coffee, pepper and paddy in the hill district.

However, the demand has declined sharply after the entry of plastic products in the market at a low price, Jyothi, a tribal artisan who sells bamboo products at a makeshift shed by the highway side here says.

Earlier, tribal people including the Kurichiya, Ooralikuruma, Paraya, and Paniya tribes were engaged making in bamboo- and cane-based handicrafts, but only a few tribal families are now active in the sector, she adds.

The availability of raw materials owing to massive destruction of bamboo plants in forest areas is the another concern for the artisans. “We are procuring the raw material now from private individuals at an exorbitant price and it is not viable to run the business now,” Murugan, Jyothi’s husband, says.

“We nurture our traditional bamboo craft against heavy odds to keep alive the age-old handicraft tradition,” Murugan adds. The government should lend a helping hand by ensuring adequate raw materials and marketing opportunities for sustaining the eco-friendly traditional craft, he appeals.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> National> Kerala / by E.M. Manoj / Kalpetta –  December 16th, 2015