Twist in tradition

Tribal families in Odisha make delicate handicrafts from heavy-duty siali creepers

TREKKING THROUGH the deep forests of Similipal to collect siali creepers (Bauhinia vahlii) is no easy task. Extracting its inner bark and weaving the fibre into strong ropes as well as delicate handicrafts is another arduous chore. But it brings cheer to Sashi Mankirdia, a 52-year-old resident of Kendumundi village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Over the past few years,she has managed to get her three daughters married and substantially augment her income by making not just siali ropes, but also siali bags, baskets and other handicrafts.

Around 2,000 families like Sashi’s, most of whom belong the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Mankirdia, in Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts of Odisha are now benefiting from handicrafts made of siali.Also known as the "maloo" creeper, the plant is a key non-timber forest produce (NTFP) of the state.While its leaves are stitched to make plates, both for household consumption and selling, the fibres are traditionally used to make ropes to tether animals, hang pots or make fences around their houses to keep wild animals, including elephants, at bay. But the ropes were rarely marketed and did not provide much income opportunities. This has changed since 2012, with the families learning how to make baskets, table mats, bags, flower pots, wall hangings, bowls and several other items using the siali fibre. "These items made from siali creepers are in demand, as they are eco-friendly, biodegradable and reduce the use of plastic,” says Debashis Prusty of Hill-Kharia and Mankirdia Development Agency (HKMDA).The agency, established under a state government micro project for the development of the Hill Kharia, Mankirdia and Birhor PVTGs, facilitates training of the families in making the siali handicraft items.“A lot of the craftspersons are elderly, who have been traditionally working with siali. But now whole families work together," adds Prusty. Pandu Mankirdia, a 58-year-old resident of Durudura village in Mayurbhanj district, says, "I started weaving siali baskets, chairs, flower pots and other items for good money six years ago.We do not need a lot of investment, as the raw material is abundantly available in forests." Initially, the communities sold the items to local traders and the Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), a government-run organisation. However, as the former would rake up huge profits leaving the craftspersons with little to no earnings, they began to deal only with ORMAS.The body now organises craft melas, fairs and haats across the country, where the craftspersons can display their wares. Most of them earn a month as additional income. Pandu says more than earnings, the handicrafts-making helps pass on traditional knowledge of collecting and working with siali from generation to generation.