Biological motifs and designs on traditional costumes among <i style="">Karbis</i> of Assam

Abstract

Traditional costumes are often adorned with designs depicting indigenous flora and fauna, objects and even some abstract figures. Filed study was undertaken with the objective to elucidate the traditional knowledge on weaving and to find out the intrinsic relationships between biological objects and cultural artifacts during 2002-2008 among the <i style="">Karbis</i> following unstructured interview and through personal observations by the authors. Motifs and designs are weaved or embodied following certain indigenous techniques <i>viz.</i> <i>kerip</i>, <i>ketur</i>, <i>keran</i>, <i>kehom</i>, <i>keroi</i>, <i>kepharlem</i> and <i>kethak</i>.

The findings of the study ideate that traditional motifs and designs on textiles are not for mere display but are emotionally associated with their social, cultural and religious life. Further, the similarity in material culture of the <i style="">Karbis</i> and <i style="">Tiwas</i> observed in some respects may be attributed to their co-habitation in the same Geographical area and reciprocal influence of their cultures.