Bamboo, clay and paper: five crafts from the Northeast worth knowing
Black stone pottery made without a wheel, monastery paper from tree bark and masks for god-sized drama.
Before “handmade” became a marketing word, it was just how things got made in the Northeast. Here are five crafts worth knowing, buying and talking about.
1. Longpi black pottery · Manipur
Made by Tangkhul Naga potters around Longpi village in Ukhrul district, this striking black pottery is shaped by hand from ground serpentine stone and clay, without a potter’s wheel. It is then fired and polished. Look for cooking pots, kettles and serving bowls with cane handles.
2. Masks of Majuli · Assam
On Majuli river island, monasteries known as satras keep alive a tradition of mask-making for bhaona, devotional theatre based on the epics. Masks made of bamboo, clay and cloth can be small or larger than the performer. Samaguri Satra is especially known for this art.
3. Monpa handmade paper · Arunachal Pradesh
In Tawang, the Monpa community makes paper by hand from the bark of the shugu sheng tree. Traditionally it was used for Buddhist scriptures and prayer flags. It is soft, strong and gorgeous for notebooks and art.
4. Bamboo and cane · Tripura and beyond
Tripura is known for its bamboo and cane craft, from furniture and baskets to delicate home decor. Across the region, bamboo becomes everything: houses, fences, cups, fishing traps, musical instruments and the famous cheraw dance poles of Mizoram.
5. Bell metal and the japi · Assam
Sarthebari in Assam is famous for bell metal utensils, used at weddings and ceremonies. And then there is the japi, the conical bamboo and palm-leaf hat that started life as farmers’ sun protection and became a symbol of Assamese hospitality.
Every craft here began as something useful. The beauty was a bonus.
Buying responsibly
- Buy from artisans, cooperatives and state emporiums so more money reaches the maker.
- Ask about the material and the time it took. Then do not haggle too hard.
- Share the maker’s name when you post your haul. Credit matters.
Are you an artisan or craft collective from the Northeast? We would love to feature your work. Email contact@lifeinnortheast.com.
Quick answers
What is Longpi pottery?
Longpi pottery is black stone pottery from Longpi village in Ukhrul, Manipur, hand-shaped by Tangkhul Naga potters from ground serpentine stone and clay without a potter’s wheel.
What is Monpa handmade paper made from?
Monpa paper from Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, is made by hand from the bark of the shugu sheng tree and was traditionally used for Buddhist scriptures.
What is a japi?
The japi is Assam’s conical hat made of bamboo and palm leaves. It began as farmers’ sun protection and is now a symbol of Assamese hospitality.