Bag making is a significant aspect of Assam’s handloom heritage among its tribes such as the Bodo, Karbi, Tiwa and Rabha.
These bags are an integral part of their lives and are intertwined with their socio-cultural, religious, economic, and day-to-day life.
Many tribal communities in Assam are actively adopting and using traditional homemade bags. These cloth bags serve as an essential utility item and also as a symbol of socio-cultural identity. The distinct weaving patterns, colours, and designs on the bags represent a tribe’s unique cultural heritage.
The bags are popular for market runs and temple visits and increasingly becoming the go-to option for labourers and school students.
Students in rural areas of Assam prefer to carry their books in these home-woven shoulder bags as it is light in weight, durable, easy to handle and wash, and above all stylish.
Most of these bags are made locally in traditional looms and many schools in Assam incorporate such bags as part of cultural awareness programmes.
The unique identity woven into these bags are safe for the foreseeable future as the younger generation too uses them with pride.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
A woman with her Tiwa bag on the way for shoping
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
A girl carries her books in a Karbi bag
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Handy tradition: While the distinct weaving patterns, colours, and motifs on the bags represent a tribe’s unique cultural heritage, the bags are a practical companion for people in their day-to-day activities.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Fashion statement: A group of women with their sling bags on their way to a weekly market.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Unique spectrum: Threads of various hues are used for making bags.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Woven with care: A traditional loom is used for making cloth bags by the Karbi community in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Deft hands: A girl works on a traditional Tiwa loom, which is simple and cost-effective.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Crown jewel: A Tiwa bag is slung on top of broom grass being carried by a worker returning from the fields.
Photo:
Ritu Raj Konwar
Off to school: Traditional bags are being used by school students in Karbi Anglong district of Assam
Photo:
RITU RAJ KONWAR
Lasting legacy: The bags are popular among the youth, ensuring the tradition of making bags remains secure.
