We’ve always had a tradition of using everything that can be used, and grass is no different.
India has an abundance of handcrafts that use grass as its base. It’s amazing to see that even within a particular kind of grass, different regions produce different kinds of craft.
Grass that is sturdy and thick is used for making various products, most commonly baskets. Naturally friendly to the earth, these products are known for their unique patterns and techniques. With increasing plastic penetration, grass crafts are in danger of dying out.
You can shop our products to beautify your space with these incredible grass craft items.
How many of these grass crafts do we know? Let’s check out!
- Sikki Craft Grass
In North Bihar, Sikki grass grows in the damp, marshy terrain next to the rivers and ponds. It is grown in a region with a lot of rainfall. During the rainy season, locals typically gather this golden grass. They subsequently sell the dried grass by the foot at the Haat or neighborhood market.
The Sikki grass must first be cut from its root system and allowed to dry for a few days before it can be used. As the flowering area of the Sikki stem is not utilized for crafting, it is removed, and the leftover Sikki is then cut into pieces and cut using a knife or teeth.
Traditional Sikki crafts
- Sabai Craft Grass
In Mayurbhanj, Odisha, and Midnapore, West Bengal, Sabai grass is widely grown. The Sabai grass is involved in a number of initiatives to increase grass production as well as the manufacturing of consumer goods such ropes, mattresses, rugs, couch sets, decorative items, and other high-end, stylish items.
Sabai grass baskets
Sabai grass is first colored by boiling with dyes before being washed in water. After another rinse in clean water, it is sun dried. Sometimes, traveling across the countryside, one can see the Sabai grass spread on the road to dry. Then, the fine grass is sorted and twisted into plaits or ropes and used. Check out our Baskets and Bowls section for some of these products.
- Kottan
One of the most popular crafts produced in Tamil Nadu State is palm leaf basketry. Even if it is strictly not a grass, the techniques and patterns are similar to that of grass.
New products with palm leaves
Extremely detailed patterns used to create palm leaf baskets have a unique allure. The products are primarily utilized in small-scale or everyday tasks and can be seen in people’s homes. It is interesting to note that the weaves and patterns used by different regions of Tamil Nadu vary widely.
- Kauna Grass Craft
The Kauna Grass, native to the Northeast, has traditionally been used to make hats, mats and baskets. The grass, cultivated in the valley, was originally a weed, and is now cultivated commercially as well. With new techniques and designs, there are now multicoloured baskets with embellishments such as embroidery, bamboo handles and the like.
Apart from these, there are other crafts as well. Not only are grass crafts from this part of the world—they have been around for centuries in Africa as well.
African grass craft
The women of the nomadic Fulani tribes are known to be master weavers of grass, and create beautiful products out of local African grass.
Browse our store to try some of the grass craft that supports the livelihoods of (mostly) women weavers!