Indigenous Maring crafts on the brink of extinction
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Nomita Khongbantabam

Imphal, July 25 2012: With people of Maring Tribe losing interest in indigenous Cane and bamboo crafts like making "Yangkok", "Shangbai", "Phingairuk", "Phoura", "Thumok", "Pollang" and "Sham", these indigenous products of the tribe are on the brink of extinction today.

From the very beginning, the Maring tribe is famous throughout Manipur for these indigenous products made from Cane and Bamboo.

But in the wake of globalization, the significance and utilities of these indigenous products among the people have waned and consequent many of the Maring artisans too have left behind their profession.

Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, one KP Khamba Maring of Shandansenba Maring Village, who is one of the few artisans still in the profession, said that his village was once famous for cane and bamboo craft products.

Without much emphasis on price, the villagers used to make these products in best quality.

As such, there was great demand of the craft products made in Sandangsenba Maring village.

But it is no so today.

A Maring artisan making bamboo baskets

Explaining that the profession requires no hard labour at all and it can be done during one's free time and easily earn a living, Khamba informed that he learnt the craft from his ancestors.

"Though cane and bamboo crafts require no basic learning, the knowledge and skill is passed down the line through the generations from our great forefathers.

During those times every household used to make these products, as a custom", he added.

Khamba further pointed out that there are various religious and customary uses of "Yangkok" and these products are seldom sold in the market by the villagers, but are taken away in bulk by businessman from outside the village to be sold in different parts of the state.

Khamba disclosed that although he has been teaching his children the art of making cane and bamboo products, none of them seem to show keen interest in the profession.

"This is not the case with my family alone, but throughout the village.

So there is apprehension that the indigenous profession of the Maring tribe will cease to exist in near future if not protected and preserved", Khamba expressed concern.

He also expressed regret over lack of support from the part of state government towards uplifting the indigenous profession of the Maring tribe.

Khamba recalled a funny incident in which his photograph had been by the government agency, only to find out later that it was meant for the purpose of putting up in the annual wall Calendar of the Ministry of Tribal Welfare in 2006 .

He also appealed to the state government to take up measures to protect and preserve the indigenous profession of the Maring tribe.