Traditional Crafts

Mizoram is the land of a number of craftsmen and skilled artisans excelling in various crafts. Bamboo and Cane related crafts are a major source of income to the state as well as the people. The Mizo’s dexterity in wicker-work and basketry is well known. Bamboo and Cane have their multifarious uses in turning out various commercial crafts and items of furniture. Even their houses are generally built with bamboo walls and floors and thatched roofs. While women excel at weaving, men are expert at cane and bamboo work. They make fine cane hats and uncommonly beautiful baskets. The traditional Mizo hat is known for its workmanship. It looks as if the hat is woven out of fine bamboo as fine as cotton yarn. Besides their typical hat or caps, domestic baskets are all made from plaited bamboo and these are reinforced by stout cane, which is very hard and durable. By smoking, the cane would be coloured a shiny mahogany to give some colour and patterns to the work.

Traditional ornaments too use bamboo in it. On celebrations, Mizo women use a headgear of a bamboo band with parrot feathers stuck in it, the ends of which are decorated with beetles.

Agriculture is the main occupation with more than 80% of the population depending upon agriculture and allied sector. To do away with wasteful and soil-detrimental practice of Jhumming, Contour Farming-System has been introduced in the hill areas.

The main foodgrain crops are rice and maize. Cash crops such as ginger, coffee, arecanut, pepper and tea are being undertaken on a large scale. The local markets are now flooded with home-grown vegetables throughout the year.

The main horticultural produce are Orange, Banana, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Assam Lemon, Hatkora, which grows abundantly in all parts of the state. Oranges, Pineapples and Bananas are supplied to neighbouring states. Other fruits such as pear, plum, guavas, are also grown.

Handloom and Handicrafts are the most important and popular industrial activities in Mizoram.

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