People of South Gujarat mainly depend on making variety of crafts out of bamboo and earn their living. Whole of the family members work jointly in preparing this chick mat making and it is their family occupation. Bamboo plays a major role in providing employment to these people. Not only that, it also provides employment to the whole of the family members by minimum investment. These people go to the forest area and bring the bamboo bundles loaded on their head.
Chick mat making looks simple, but it takes lot of practice and hard work to gain the expertise. The craftsmen begin the process by taking the customer’s order. The measurements of the windows and doors are taken. Initially the first outer layer of bamboo is peeled with the help of a knife. Then they are cut by the saw tool according to the measurements. Bamboo is made into two equal pieces vertically, later it is sliced into sleek pieces through the help of the sickle. The wooden stick is tapped on the sickle with a force, to slice the bamboo.
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