Tribal Art and Craft (An Old and Rare Book)

The tribes of the north-eastern States of our country are adepts in utilizing natural resources, especially the plentifully available plants-the bamboo and cane. What a variety of utilitarian objects with artistic beauty and use are produced out of these two!

The book is the result of a survey of an ancient craft-basketry of the people of Arunachal Pradesh encompassing the technoplogy, typology, the utilitarian and artistic embellishments found on the objects of basketry. The tribes of Arunachal Pradesh use even today containers and other objects including shields and items of dress manufactured out of this technique. Even the handles of their daos are palited with cane strips. It is a pity modern technology is making a steady inroad and the manufacture of these objects is on the decline. Particular mention may be made of the breast-band of the Mill-Miris, rice beer containers of the Sherdukpen and bamboo shields of the Idu-Mishmi which are fast disappearing. A gradual deterioration in the technique is also noticeable, mainly because of the impact of outsiders.

Here in this book Dr Das has attempted to assess the relative position of this craft in the society and culture of the tribes as also its religious and economic importance of the people using the objects. The comprehensive and well documented work of the author is opportune and timely. The objects are lucidly described and profusely illustrated.

Dr Aioswariya Kumar Das (b. 1939) obtained his M.Sc. (Anthropology) securing a first position from the Gauhati University in 1962. Dr Das was also trained in Museology from the National Museum, New Delhi.

Till 1964 he was Curator of Arunachal Pradesh, Museum, Shillong. Presently he is Keeper, Museums Division of the Anthropological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Having travelled widely in the North eastern States of India, Dr Das has acquired a firsthand knowledge of the tribes, their arts and crafts. As one involved in planning zonal Anthropological Museums, he has traversed the entire length and breadth of the country. He has also travelled wide in Europe-the Scandinavian countries, Holland and France-attending ICOM Conferences and Seminars of the International Committee for Museums of Ethnography, of which he is an executive Member. Besides, he is a member of several academic associations.

Dr Das is a specialist in Museum Ethnography contributing several papers on Material Cultural and Tribal Art.

During the tenure of my service as Curator of Arunachal Pradesh Museum, I had many opportunities to visit tribal villages in the interior of the State, many of which are situated in remote and difficult areas without easy access. My constant contact since 1964, with the tribes like the Monpa, Sherdukpen, Khowa, Nishi, Apatani, Hill-Miri, Tagin, Gallong, Miniyong, Padam, Digaru, Mishmi, Khamit, Nocte and Tangsa, aroused my interest in their material culture and art.

On one occasion I had to visit Reru, an Apatani village in the Ziro-Hapli plateau in Subansiri District in 1964. Sri Reru Tabin, an Apatani peon, attached to the District Cultural Centre invited me to his pile-hut and offered me a seat near the fire-place. Sitting there, I happened to notice a hanging platform of bamboo. A close look above the platform revealed a number of baskets of different shapes and sizes lying scattered. This made me inquisitive and I asked him to show me all the household articles which were made of basketry technique. He produced a variety of containers, storage, carrying and straining baskets, fishing traps, cages, winnowing fans, mats, headgears, items of dress and what not. I even noticed that his dao (big knife) had its handle plaited with cane strips. This array of objects of beautiful shapes and fine texture attracted me to delve deep into this particular craft.

During my subsequent visits to Kameng, Siang, Lohit and Tirap Districts I saw varied types of objects, which included shield for defensive purposes, haversacks, offering dish with stand, leglet, armlet, necklace, breast-band and loin cover, besides the cane suspension bridges and religious paraphernalia.

**Contents and Sample Pages**