Plants used for basketry in kasaragod district, kerala
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Transcript of Plants used for basketry in kasaragod district, kerala
Plants used for basketry in Kasaragod District, Kerala
Keywords: Koraga, Basketry, Plants, Threats, Conservation.
ABSTRACT: Basketry is the traditional occupation of Koragas, one of the most primitive tribes, living along the Kerala-Karnataka border. They make use of a number of plants to weave baskets of different name, size and shape. At present both baskets and their creators are facing the threat of extinction owing to changing socio-economic trends. The paper lists out 29 species of plants used by the Koraga for weaving baskets, which may pave the way for conservation of both plants and the traditional craft.
153-159 | JRPS | 2012 | Vol 1 | No 2
This article is governed by the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/
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www.plantsciences.info
Journal of Research in
Plant Sciences An International Scientific
Research Journal
Authors:
Subrahmanya Prasad K
and Raveendran K.
Institution:
Department of Post
Graduate Studies and
Research in Botany, Sir Syed
College, Taliparamba,
Kannur - 670 142, Kerala,
India.
Corresponding author:
Subrahmanya Prasad K.
Email: [email protected]
Web Address: http://www.plantsciences.info
documents/PS0038.pdf.
Dates: Received: 06 Oct 2012 Accepted: 03 Dec 2012 Published: 31 Dec 2012
Article Citation: Subrahmanya Prasad K and Raveendran K. Plants used for basketry in Kasaragod District, Kerala. Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 153-159
Original Research
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences
Jou
rn
al of R
esearch
in
Plan
t Scien
ces
An International Scientific Research Journal
INTRODUCTION
Kerala is the home land of 36 communities
listed in the scheduled tribes list. Out of 75 primitive
tribal groups (PTGs) categorized by Government
of India, in Kerala, there are five PTGs namely Koraga,
Cholanaikkan, Kurumbar, Kadar and Kattunayakan
(Kakkoth, 2005). The Koraga populations live in
43 settlements amidst rural population of Kasaragod
District while their major stalk lives in the adjoining
Karnataka State. Their population according to
1961, 1971, 1981, 1991 census (Anonymous, 1991)
socio-economic survey of 1996-97 (Anonymous, 2002)
and KIRTADS action plan survey (Anonymous, 1999)
was 548, 724, 1098, 1651, 1349 and 1330 respectively.
In earlier days they were treated as “untouchables” even
by scheduled castes (Vasudevan, 1998) and are so
backward that no other tribe was in a more primitive
stage than the Koraga (Aiyappan, 1948). They speak a
script less language close to Tulu and Kannada. The
economy of the Koraga is based on basketry, they are
experts in basketry and almost 70% members of the
community still subsist on basketry (Kakkoth, 2005),
while the rest resorted to agriculture labour, laterite stone
cutting, beedi rolling and wage labour. Majority of the
Koraga are skilful in the manufacture of cradles, baskets,
cylinders to hold paddy, winnowing and sowing baskets,
scale-pans, boxes, rice water strainers, ring stands for
supporting pots, coir rope and brushes for washing cattle
(Mohanty, 2004).
Basket weaving is an art or craft which needs
much expertise. Baskets are of different kinds, known by
several names with respect to their shape, size and use,
viz. Thadpe-a flat basket used to clean paddy seeds
(winnowing baskets), Gobbaratha Kantya-large basket
used to transfer manure, Manna Kantya-medium
sized basket for collection and transfer of soil,
Galakuruve-to collect arecanut, Kaikkuruve-small
basket, Kalasige-basket used to measure amount of
grains and many more. These baskets were made up of
thin slices of different plant parts which are woven in an
artistic manner into desired shape and size, held tightly
by means of cordage of plant origin. At present due to
rapid urbanization and industrialization, the tradition of
basketry is being wiped out and may not survive the
process of modernization. The present paper aims to
document and thus to conserve this less known
community’s traditional knowledge and their dependence
on natural resources, which may pave the way for
protection of both the Koraga and their craft.
METHODOLOGY
A total of 23 field trips were carried out to the
different Koraga settlements spread along
Kerala- Karnataka border. During these visits 27 Koraga
people were interviewed, of which 8 were experts,
consisting of 6 men and 2 women, all are above sixty
except one. For interview data sheets and questionnaires
were used. Data regarding the different plants used for
basketry, their properties, uses and other information
were collected. The data collected was confirmed from
other sources and compared with the existing literature
(Shetty et al., 2002; Shanmugam et al., 2012). The
collected voucher specimens were made into herbarium
sheets and deposited at the SSC herbaria for future use.
These were identified with the help of regional floras
(Hooker, 1872 - 1897; Gamble and Fischer, 1915 - 1936;
Manilal and Sivarajan, 1982; Mathew, 1983;
Ramachandran and Nair, 1988; Bhat, 2003; Anil Kumar
et al., 2005).
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Every day, the Koraga people collect the suitable
plant material from the forest in quantities needed for the
preparation of two or three baskets. These are brought to
the weaving place. At first, the plant materials were split
into two from the centre, then into thin slices of even
thickness using sharp knives (Figures 1 and 2). The
spines, outer bark, warts are removed during slicing.
Prasad and Raveendran, 2012
154 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 153-159
Prasad and Raveendran, 2012
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 153-159 155
Tab
le 1
P
lan
ts u
sed
for b
ask
etr
y
Bota
nic
al
nam
e
Vou
cher
No.
Fam
ily
Loca
l n
am
e
Hab
it
Morp
holo
gy o
f u
sefu
l p
art
Aca
cia c
aes
ia (
L.)
Wil
ld.
0128
Mim
osa
ceae
K
aa
du S
eeg
e, C
hen
de
Mu
llu
C
lim
bin
g p
rick
ly s
hru
b
Pri
ckle
rem
oved
ste
m s
lice
s
Aca
cia s
inuata
(L
our.
) M
err.
0161
Mim
osa
ceae
S
eege
Pri
ckly
cli
mb
ing
sh
rub
P
rick
le r
emo
ved
ste
m s
lice
s
Aca
cia t
ort
a (
Roxb.)
Cra
ib.
0272
Mim
osa
ceae
C
hen
de
mu
llu
P
rick
ly c
lim
bin
g s
hru
b
Pri
ckle
rem
ov
ed s
tem
sli
ces
Agave
am
eric
ana
L.
0142
Ag
avac
eae
Da
dd
oli
S
tou
t sh
rub
L
eaf
fib
res
Ala
ngiu
m s
alv
ifoli
um
(L
. f.
) W
anger
in s
sp.
hex
apet
alu
m (
Lam
k.)
Wan
ger
in
0307
Ala
ng
iace
ae
An
kole
S
trag
gli
ng
sh
rub
S
tem
sli
ces
Bam
busa
bam
bos
(L.)
Voss
. 094
Poac
eae
Bed
ru,
Bid
iru
L
arg
e th
orn
y b
amb
oo
Ste
m s
lice
s
Bora
ssus
flabel
life
r L
. 0173
Are
cace
ae
Ta
ari
, T
ha
ale
mara
T
all
pal
m
Lea
f sh
eath
or
pet
iole
fib
re
Bougain
vill
ea x
butt
iana M
rs.
Butt
0474
Nyct
agin
acea
e K
aka
ji m
ull
u, K
ag
adad
a
ho
ovi
na g
ida
Cli
mb
ing s
pin
ou
s sh
rub
S
pin
e re
mo
ved
ste
m s
lice
s
Bougain
vill
ea s
pec
tabil
is W
illd
. 0295
Nyct
agin
acea
e K
aka
ji m
ull
u, K
ag
adad
a
ho
ovi
na g
ida
Cli
mb
ing s
pin
ou
s sh
rub
S
pin
e re
mo
ved
ste
m s
lice
s
Cala
mus
rota
ng L
. 0318
Are
cace
ae
Bet
ha
Sca
nd
ent
tu
fted
sh
rub
S
tem
sli
ces
Cala
mus
thw
ait
esii
Bec
c.
0514
Are
cace
ae
Ha
nd
ibet
ha
Sca
nd
ent
tuft
ed s
hru
b
Ste
m s
lice
s
Caly
copte
ris
flori
bunda (
Roxb.)
Lam
. 0133
Com
bre
tace
ae
En
jiru
S
can
den
t sh
rub
S
tem
sli
ces
Cary
ota
ure
ns
L.
073
Are
cace
ae
Een
du, B
ain
i T
all
pal
m
Lea
f sh
eath
fib
re
Cory
pha u
mbra
culi
fera
L.
0418
Are
cace
ae
Pa
ne
Tal
l p
alm
L
eaf
shea
th f
ibre
Den
dro
cala
mus
stri
ctus
(Roxb.)
Nee
s 0278
Poac
eae
Ote
bed
ru
Tal
l b
amb
oo
Ste
m s
lice
s
Gli
rici
dia
sep
ium
Kun
th e
x W
alp.
0375
Fab
acea
e It
ina g
ida
S
mal
l dec
idu
ou
s tr
ee
You
ng b
ran
ch s
lice
s
Gnet
um
edule
(W
illd
.) B
lum
e.
0184
Gnet
acea
e N
oka
te
Lar
ge
clim
ber
S
tem
sli
ces
Ichnoca
rpus
frute
scen
s (L
.) W
. T
. A
iton.
079
Ap
ocy
nac
eae
Halu
ball
i, P
eru b
all
i L
arge
twin
ing s
hru
b
Ste
m a
nd b
ran
ches
Lee
a i
ndic
a (
Burm
. f.
) M
err.
0327
Lee
acea
e N
edth
e, N
edil
tappu
L
arge
shru
b
Ste
m a
nd b
ran
ches
Relatively broader slices, with a length of about 1.5 m
are used to weave the bottom (Figures 3-5). Other longer
slices (3-4 m long) are woven circularly in such a way
that these are interior to one slice while exterior to the
next (Figures 6-8). This process is continued until the
desired shape and size is achieved (Figures 9-12).
The suitable plant materials are the climbers
or scandent shrubs due to their flexibility. Majority of
the plant materials are used after splitting and
removal of outer skin. Narrow climbing stems
of Loeseneriella arnottiana (Wight) A. C. Sm and
Uvaria narum (Dunal) Well. ex Wight. are used as such.
Baskets prepared from Calycopteris floribunda (Roxb.)
Lam. are of great demand due to their quality
and durability. Agave americana L. leaf and
Caryota urens L. leaf sheath are soaked in water for a
month, taken out and crushed to separate the fibre.
Baskets made up of Calycopteris floribunda (Roxb.)
Lam. and Acacia spp. are soaked in water for a week to
remove their bitter substance and to increase their
durability. Different plants used for basket making, their
local name, family, habit, morphology of useful part are
listed in Table-1.
From the present study, it is evident that the
Koraga people use 29 species of plants belonging to
22 genera and 16 families for basket making, of which
19 are either climbers or scandent shrubs. Stem of 25
plants are used to weave baskets while leaf fibres of 4
plants are used to bind tightly the woven slices. Use of
Bambusa bambos L. Voss., Borassus flabellifer L.,
Corypha umbraculifera L., Ochlandra scriptoria
(Dennst.) C. E. C. Fischer and Ochlandra travancorica
Benth. ex. Gamble in basket making were reported
earlier (Shetty et al., 2002; Shanmugam et al., 2012).
Bougainvillea spp. and Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth
ex Walp. are of recent introduction, as tribal people use
these due to shortage of suitable plant material. Barks of
Acacia spp. are having cleansing property (Pawar and
Sonawale, 2011) while that of Ziziphus spp. are credited
Prasad and Raveendran, 2012
156 Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 153-159
Loes
ener
iell
a a
rnott
iana (
Wig
ht)
A. C
. S
m.
0218
Cel
astr
acea
e M
ad
eri b
all
u,
Ma
der
i b
all
i C
lim
bin
g s
hru
b
Ste
m s
lice
s or
stem
as
such
Loes
ener
iell
a b
ourd
illo
nii
(G
amble
)
Ram
amoort
hy
0294
Cel
astr
acea
e M
ad
eri b
all
u,
Ma
der
i b
all
i C
lim
bin
g s
hru
b
Ste
m s
lice
s
Och
landra
scr
ipto
ria (
Den
nst
.) C
. E
. C
.
Fis
cher
0341
Poac
eae
Va
ate
bid
iru
S
hru
bby
bam
bo
o
Ste
m s
lice
s
Och
landra
tra
vanco
rica
Ben
th.
ex G
amble
0364
Poac
eae
Va
ate
bid
iru
S
hru
bby
bam
bo
o
Ste
m s
lice
s
Poth
os
scanden
s L
. 0118
Ara
ceae
A
rke
bu
ru
Cli
mb
ing s
hru
b
Ste
m g
row
ing
alo
ng
th
e
soil
Rei
ssanti
a i
ndic
a (
Wil
ld.)
N. H
alle
. 0453
Cel
astr
acea
e M
ad
ri b
uru
C
lim
bin
g s
hru
b
Ste
m
Str
ychnos
colu
bri
na L
. 0156
Log
ania
ceae
B
all
i ka
yar
Wood
y cl
imb
er
Ste
m s
lice
s
Uva
ria n
aru
m (
Dunal
) W
all.
059
An
non
acea
e K
akk
e pa
andel
S
can
den
t sh
rub
S
tem
Ziz
iphus
oen
opli
a (
L.)
Mil
l.
0237
Rh
amn
acea
e C
ho
ori
mu
llu
S
can
den
t sh
rub
S
pin
e re
mo
ved
ste
m s
lice
s
Ziz
iphus
rugosa
Lam
. 0179
Rh
amn
acea
e K
ott
e m
ull
u
Scr
amb
lin
g s
hru
b
Sp
ine
rem
ov
ed s
tem
sli
ces
Journal of Research in Plant Sciences (2012) 1(2): 153-159 157
Prasad and Raveendran, 2012
Figure 1 Plant materials Figure 2 Preparation of thin slices Figure 3 Thin slices
Figure 4 Thin slices ready for weaving Figure 5 Initial stage of weaving Figure 6 Weaving of basket
Figure 7 Weaving of thin slices Figure 8 Weaving at the final stage Figure 9 Preparation of handle
Figure 10 Handle Figure11 Finished product
(Gobbaratha Kantya)
Figure 12 Finished product
(Manna Kantya)
with antiseptic properties (Paulsamy, 2011). Of the
29 plants 24 are well known for their healing properties
(Jain, 1991; Udayan and Balachandran, 2009), thus
imparting medicinal value, insect and pest repellent
properties to the baskets weaved from them.
CONCLUSION
When compared with modern plastic or fibre
baskets, these traditional baskets are easy to handle,
durable, biodegradable and ecofriendly. Due to shortage
of plant materials and difficulty in marketing, the
younger generations of Koraga community are fleeing
away from their traditional craft of basket weaving,
towards other seemingly prestigious jobs, leaving it in
hands of a few old. Thus the stark reality is that both
Koraga tribe and their craft is facing fear of extinction of
their unique culture and identity.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Authors are indebted to the tribal people,
especially Aitha, Babu, Batya, Chaniya, Chaniyaru,
Manku and Sundara for their generous support during
the field survey. We also thank the Principal and
Management, Sir Syed College, Taliparamba for their
encouragement and support. First author is grateful to
KSCSTE for financial assistance.
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