Apa Tani Bamboo Products of Arunachal Pradesh

The Apa Tanis exemplify ecological sustainability that can be seen through their water management systems and cultivation models for pine, bamboo, rice and vegetables. The men of the tribe construct a wide range of bamboo baskets that have a unique form, serving countless functions of carrying, storing and serving.

Baskets used for storage and carrying are made of fine bamboo splits while other basket sand hats are made from split cane. Although, barju, a carrying basket made of bamboo, is further fortified with cane slits at the rim, sides and base. The Apa Tani basket is less conical than other baskets which are longer in proportion and have a substantial distinction between the square base and the circular rim.

The technique of flattening and heat distortion is used by the Apa Tani to construct containers for beer and other beverages, rice dish stitched with cane splits, rain shields and oniliya /yarn basket.