The crafts of Meghalaya speak of the artistic skill of the craftsmen and have a distinct individualistic touch. The Khasis are famous for weaving cane mats, stools and baskets. Hand weaving is the most sought after profession, which has passed on from generation to generation.
Abundant availability of
canes and bamboos has made the people to utilize it not only for producing utility items but also decorative items as well. Various kinds of baskets and mats are made from cane and bamboo. Pokerwork is a unique craft of the region where the designs are burnt in to the bamboo with a red-hot pointed rod, which is mainly done by the Garos. The Khasi women wear an attractive hat, which is made of a circular bamboo frame with a thick brim that is covered with cloth.
The Winnowing fan from Shilong is a renowned piece of craft. It is made using the simple basket forming technique. The fan is woven in the five up two down structures except at the vertical surface where it becomes a closed twill weave.
Weaving is under the exclusive domain of the women. The patterns in the cloth are obtained by combining different coloured threads in the warp and weft. The Garos weave shirting, bed covers, bed sheets and tablecloths. A kind of silk produced in Meghalaya is called endi silk, which has a fine texture. Sonidan is an important center for weaving endi silk. Silk weaving is also encouraged in the state by training local weavers in a number of places. Dakmanda is a type of women clothing, which are very well decorated with beautiful flowers and butterflies in various combination of colours.
