Ringal Bamboo Basketry - Uttarakhand
Ringal bamboo varies in length according to the altitude at which it grows. The bamboo is selected as per the product to be made. Wide and thin strips of bamboo are cut for winnow making. There are different styles of winnows that are obtained by changing weaving patterns.
The common household kitchen product ‘Sieve’ or ‘winnow’, is mainly used for agricultural and kitchen purposes. A lengthy bamboo pole is split into wide thin splits. Slightly tender bamboo splits are directly used for winnow weaving. In case the bamboo splits are dried, they are soaked in water before weaving to retain moisture.
Winnow weaving process is done by arranging the bamboo strips in a criss-cross manner with the help of a small bamboo stick. Once the weaving is completed, the extra edges are cut and removed. A small tender stick is tied on the edge of the winnow to give reinforcement.
