Crafts of Karbi Anglong offer to the tourists in the manufacture of conventional costume, handloom elements, musical instruments and household items. These reflect the proficiency of the artisans. The crafts of Karbi Anglong District is famous not only in Assam, but also different parts of India. Assam is chiefly dominated by the Karbi Tribes. These people are known for their age-old handicrafts and weaving works. The traditional dresses made by the Karbi Tribes are adorned with unique designs.
The people of Karbi Tribe are also proficient in making utensils. One of the remarkable craftwork of the Karbis is `Jambiliathan.` It is usually made by carving of wood. Some of the important craftwork of the local artisans here are basketry, utensils, musical instruments, and decorated furniture. Apart from these, several other products are also manufactured for interior decoration. The easy availability of raw materials like bamboo, cane and wood has given a thrust to the traditional craftwork of the local artisan to produce exquisite creative works. The Karbi tribes have also been proficient in making typical houses of cane, bamboo and wood. Handlooms also form an important feature of Karbi life. The womenfolk are highly skilled in weaving of pini, pekok, turban, scarf etc.
Some of the villages are known for their delicate and brilliant craft work. These are described below.
Hamren
Hamren is regarded as the capital of Karbi traditional life. It is known for different Karbi crafts and culture. Wood carving and cane and bamboo works are some of the prominent craft works of Hamren. Some of the significant villages located near Assam are Langtupthepi, Phongjungre, Kongseck, Langsude, Chandrapur, Rongkhang Rongbo (Rong Arak), Hamthor, Phonkrei.
Boithalangsu
Biothalangsu is also known for its traditional craftwork. Traditional looms, cane and bamboo works are some of the important craftworks practising here. The nearby hamlets that practise artisanship are Umru, Longri, Rongkarlasu, Khong, Dongka, Menmeji and Pungahidi.
Kherani
The place is known for their jute works, mat making, rope making and cane and bamboo works.
Bokajan
Bokajan is known for cane and bamboo works used for making both household and decorative products, woodcarving and looms.
Manja
Manja has earned name for pottery and wood carving.
Dhanshiree Valley
Dhanshiree Valley is known for traditional crafts of Dimasa Tribe
Dengaon
Dengaon is popular for their traditional bamboo craft and cane craft and wood carving.
Types of Craftwork of Karbi Tribes
The Karbi Tribes specialise in different types of craftworks that have been discussed below:
Traditional Dress
Some of the traditional dresses made by the Karbi Tribes are Pekok, a cloth to cover the lower portion of woman`s body, Pini, a cloth to cover the upper portion of women, Pecharpi, Stoles /scarf, Jackets, Poho, a headgear for men, muffler and Venkok, a textile waist band for women. The Jackets manufactured by the Karbis are gaining much popularity among the urban people.
Handloom Instruments
Some of the handloom instruments produced here are Harpi (Dopodi), Thenging and Baptheli.
Musical Instruments
The Karbi Tribes also specialise in making few musical instruments like Cengbaruk, Kundengdong and Kumliang.
Household Items
Tibuk, a pot, Horbong, a wooden pot for keeping traditional rice beer, Harluk Tob, a kind of tub made of cane, bamboo and wood, Seru, a wooden kettle, Hatan, baskets made of bamboo and cane, Hak, a basket with a strap taken on the shoulders and used for carrying goods and fire wood, Bora, a beautiful cane box use to keep clothes, Murjong, a cane made basket to keep rice, Khangra, a basket used to carry wood, Hingru, a filter made of bamboo used while making rice beer, Chignam, a very significant strap made of cane used for carrying basket, Lumphuk, a wooden rice spoon huge in size, Beleng, a bamboo tray, Hangkrung, a bamboo filter to sort rice and Tar, a stiff mat made of bamboo.