The Tangkhul Nagas of Manipur have a number of storage baskets in their tradition. Tebam Lumpak is a medium-sized basket, generally 17 centimetres high with a square cross-section of 22 centimetres of sides, and is used by the Tangkhul Nagas for storing thread and yarn. Lumpaknia is another small bamboo basket of the Tangkhul Nagas, used for storing valuables. It is a lidded basket, generally about 7 centimetres high and a square cross-section slightly tapering towards the mouth. The mouth measures 11 centimetres X 11 centimetres. There is also a slightly higher Lumpaknia, with 9.5 centimetres height including the lid with square cross-section of 10 centimetres of sides. Lumpak is a basket also used by the Tangkhul Nagas for the storage of valuables. It measures about 11 centimetres high and size of the mouth being 9 centimetres by 9 centimetres. Kamu is a storage basket used by the Tangkhul Nagas for storing dry fish and meat. It is 19 centimetres high with a square base that is strengthened by cane sticks affixed diagonally. The central cross section is round and the top is narrower with a detachable lid. The Mao (constituting both Memis and Paomatas), the Maram, the Paomai and the Chakasang tribes residing in the districts of Senapati and Ukhrul, use a grain storage basket with lid. It has a narrow mouth with an inflated body. The size ranges from a waist high basket to a head high basket, and even taller and bigger baskets. This particular type of basket has a double weave: an inner weave and an outer weave. The first layer is the construction with bamboo as the basic form, over and above which, another variety of stiff bamboo is woven as the second layer or the outer weave. After completion of the basket, the inner surface is appropriately lined with cow dung and strengthened. The basket is then put to use. The Tarao tribes of Manipur also use different makes of baskets for the purpose of storage. Adungshei is a basket used by the Tarao tribe for storage of yarn. Its bottom and lid are strengthened with diagonal pieces of cane and bamboo sticks, while the basket itself is made in a single weave. These baskets are usually 13 centimetres high with lid, 23 centimetres long and 15 centimetres wide. Ngakok is another single weave basket used by the Tarao tribe, for storage of dry fish. The bottom is strengthened with additional strips of bamboo woven outside, and the lid is separable but attached with the basket by a handle with loop. Ngakoks are usually 37 centimetres high, 25 centimetres long and 16 centimetres wide with an oval cross-section, a narrow mouth and bulges towards the bottom. The designs of baskets used for storing clothes, like the Tabu, vary considerably from tribe to tribe. The Vaiphei tribe refer to Tabu as Laipi, which has an almost identical shape but is slightly smaller in size and do not have a knob on the lid. The Mao design of the Tabu encompasses a pointed lid, bulging at the mouth and narrower towards the bottom. The Tabus of the Tangkhuls have a lid bigger than the basket itself and have stands on both the lid and the basket, such that it can be kept in any manner as one feels. The Tabu design of the Koirengs has a pointed lid, bulging at the mouth and a narrower bottom. The Paomai Nagas too have their own specialised designs of storage baskets. Sushi Khaipii is a 30 centimetre high single weave basket used by them for storing chilli. It has a narrow mouth and bulges below. Bou is a type of basket used by the Paomai Nagas for grain storage. It is a sturdy basket woven with thick bamboo or cane strips, narrow at the mouth and bulging at the centre, with a conical lid. It extends usually 1.5 metres high. Khoijai is a type of storage basket used by the Rongmei Nagas, for storing dry fish and meat. It also has a narrow mouth, bulges at the middle, stretches 32 centimetres high with lid and a mouth diameter of 12 centimetres. It is a single weave basket and the lid is hemispherical. Changroikok is a type of basket used by the Chiru tribe for storing dry fish and meat. It has a conical lid, flattened at the top. The basket is sturdy, though single woven since it is woven with thicker bamboo strips. The mouth is narrow and circular, cylindrical up till a certain point, thereafter bulging and being widest at the bottom which is square-shaped and supported by stands at all four corners. They are usually 60 centimetres high, with a mouth diameter of 16 centimetres. The Loi people from the Andro village use a basket called Thop, for storing dry fish, chilli etc. It is 38 centimetres high with lid and a mouth diameter of 23 centimetres. A single weave basket, the Thop is slightly narrower at the mouth where the cross section is circular, and bulges slightly till it acquires the square shape at the bottom. Related Articles: Bamboo and Cane Crafts of Manipur Crafts of Manipur Baskets Basket Weaving Techniques in Manipur Tribes of Manipur, Indian Tribals Cane and Bamboo Products of Manipur Manipur Baskets used by Tribes of Manipur Cane Craft |