Ringal Bamboo Basketry - Uttarakhand
There are two types of Bamboo in the world with around 1500 species.
Two categories are
- Sympodial Bamboo
- Monopodial Bamboo
Patterns of clumps can also vary in the case of sympodial bamboo where bamboo culms within a clump can be closely spaced (Bambusa Bamboo) or loosely spread out (Bambusa Valgaris).
Colder climate countries (China & Japan) host Monopodial bamboo also known as Runner bamboo as it sends long underground Rhizomes, individual shoots come out of these underground Rhizomes. There are two types of Rhizomes i.e., Pachymorph and Leptomorph.
Sympodial bamboo grows faster, produce a higher yield and can become fully rejuvenated within a few years of harvesting. Sympodial bamboo grows in clumps, out layers of the clumps contain yamper bamboo, and inner layers contain mature bamboo.
Monopodial bamboos can be easily segregated by maturity period, Harvesting is much simpler, and vice versa in the case of Sympodial bamboo. In India, Sympodial bamboo constitutes 67% of the total graving stock, and monopodial bamboo constitutes the remaining 33%.
| Sympodial Bamboo Species in India | %Growing stock in Forest Land |
| Dendro Calamus Strictus Bambusa Bamboo Bambusa Pallida Dendro calamus Hamil Tonii Bambusa Tulda All Other Species |
67% 13% 4% 7% 5% 6% |
Meleona Barcifera, is a non-clump forming Sympodial bamboo, with a long spread out neck leading to spread out culms. Accounts for 20% of bamboo growing stock in the country.
In Uttarakhand, bamboo mats and baskets are a significant part of the craft tradition of every agrarian culture. Ringal (a dwarf bamboo) and natural fiber, medicinal & aromatic plants are among the potential resources available in different villages and adjoining forests in the state of Uttarakhand. The practice of this craft is more of a tradition as well as a means of earning a livelihood.
List of Tools and Raw Materials:
• Ringal Bamboo: Raw Material used to weave the basket.
• Khurpi: Knife to cut into strips and peel the outer layer.
• Cutter: Used to cut the bamboo into required sizes.
