ME AND MUSEUM

Phiruk/Phingaruk/Phinairuk and Tabu are the special the special kinds of storage baskets used in Manipur. The Meitei use it as an indispensable item for marriage ceremony.  The Maring tribe of Manipur are specialised in this traditional craft. They have got mastery over the production of this beautiful designs which they attain by using naturally dyed fine splits of bamboo. According to a local version, 'Phingairuk (Phingang; red cloth, luk- basket) is named after a group of Maring tribe who used to wear red-bordered cloth. Woven by the hill tribe, it is indespensably used by the Meiteis to commemorate the rituals and ceremonies of marriage functions. This age-old basket undoubtedly narrates the cultural history of harmonious social relation with the people of the hills and plains. Phiruk (Phi - cloth, luk/ruk - basket)/ Phinairuk or Phingaruk is a ceremonial basket available in two different sizes. The large one is used in the worship of the family and village deities and al...

Rabha is one of the important tribe of Assam largely concentrated in Gwalpada district of Assam. They are also found in the bordering areas in close conjunction with the West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. Traditionally, Rabha house is long and elongated bamboo dominated structure constructed on a rectangular plan on raised plinth of earth. The house is thatched with local grass which is available in their surroundings. These long wild grass is available in a long stretch of growth extending to the hill ranges of West Garo Hills in Meghalaya. Rabhas are known for their unique skill of hunting, trapping and fishing activities. Traditional material cultures of the Rabhas are mostly dominated by the bamboo and wooden items. They use different varieties of bamboo species and local wood to meet their livelihood. Most of their household utilities, agricultural tools, looms, hunting and trapping implements and utensils are made of bamboo and wood. Most of the Rabha villages in ...

HAMPAI Large size traditional vessel used by the socially dignified person for giving feast. Longpi village is located 40 Kms away from the Ukhrul district head quarter of Manipur. Majority of the villagers are potters who prepare handmade pots and household earthen ware as an important occupation in addition to their agricultural works. This age old skill of handmade pottery is inherited from their forefathers. Longpi Pot of Manipur has been able to attract large number of people from both the domestic and international arena. It is known not only for its unique shapes and innovated designs but also for the beautiful texture and metal like appearance normally used in various household functions either as kitchen utensils or decorative items for the fancy people. Traditionally, Longpi potter used to prepare Hampai (pot of a dignified man) for the noble family and a man of social status other than the common household utensils. Hampais were used in massive food preparation during s...

Heavy and massive in structure, this kind of traditional wooden grinders were used widely in the rural and tribal areas of Manipur. It was an important household item exclusively meant for grinding paddy for domestic consumption. Even after the introduction of electric mills highly equipped with sophesticated mechanical devices, still there are some villages in Manipur where Oo-Chakri of this kind are used for grinding paddy. Prepared from two separate logs of either Heinou (Mango) or Theibong (Jackfruit) tree, it looks similar in sizes. However, these logs are structured according to its mechanical functions. The upper part of the grinder is called Makhum and the lower one is named as Mahak . Meitei term for grinder is Chakri and it is synonymous to the word- obstructions. The term Chakri is given to denote the obstructions and frictions created between the two logs. Mahak possess a central shaft through which the upper body Makhum is mounted. The teeth of both the segments are pre...