Traditional woodcraft, Jambili Athon of the Karbis

Abstract

Jambili Athon is an extraordinary woodcraft of the Karbis, made entirely from Bengwoi ke-er (Wrightia coccinea Sims. (Apocynaceae), whose origin and making of the craft is strictly based on legends. It consists of a central axis and a whorl of four branches, all with beautiful carvings on it and the apices are perched with different species of birds. Jambili Athon is exhibited during socio-religio-cultural festival, Chomkan, during crowning ceremony of social chief, the Lindokpo and also to honour great persons. Jambili Athon has no parallel with any crafts or symbols of other tribes of Northeast India and is claimed as the symbol of pride and cultural identity by Karbis. It covers the philosophy of life & death, social institutions and religious practices of the people. Further, Jambili Athon is often used in logos of many institutions and organizations in Karbi Anglong and also as designs on textiles. A miniature Jambili Athon is usually kept as an artifact in almost every household.