Suranjan Das and K.C. Das Patni Ambedkar
Abstract
Indigenous knowledge based traditional crafts are still major sources of livelihood for many communities in the world. Local handicraft is a unique skill of many rural communities which has been passed down through generations. But at present, due to various constraints, these traditional knowledge-based crafts cannot provide a sustainable livelihood to many rural communities. This paper highlights the problems of riparian communities in Barak Valley, Assam, who are associated with indigenous knowledge-based handicraft activities for sustaining their livelihood. Among these communities, the Patiary or Patikor who make mats from Murta (Schumannianthus dichotomus), a local riparian plant and the Namasudra, who make handicrafts from many bamboo (Bambusa species) plants are considered. Both the communities have long tradition of backwardness, poverty and illiteracy coupled with multidimensional socio-economic problems.