Demand for bamboo crafts soars in Mithila ahead of Tihar & Chhath

KATHMANDU: As Tihar and Chhath festivals approach, the demand for traditional bamboo crafts woven from choya (bamboo splits) and kaptera (strips) has surged across the Mithila region, including Mahottari district.

In the Mithila tradition, bamboo items are considered essential for ritual use during the festivals.

Clean and pure bamboo crafts such as chhiti (small basket), dali (tray), kanasupa, nanglo (winnowing tray), chalno (sieve), and pankha (fan) are used to hold and offer ritual materials during worship.

With this, local markets across Mahottari’s 15 municipalities — including Jaleshwar, Matihani, Bardibas, Gaushala, Ramgopalpur, Pipara, Sitapur, Aurahi, Balwa, and Loharpatti — are now bustling with stalls selling these bamboo products.

For the Bin and Dom communities of Mithila, crafting bamboo items has been a traditional occupation passed down for generations. “The demand used to be low due to the rise of plastic goods,” said 50-year-old Kashi Mukhiya Bin from Bhanga–4, Ramnagar. “But during Diwali and Chhath, people still prefer bamboo products. Our ancestors taught us this craft, but the younger generation is not very interested in learning it.”

Although demand now peaks only during festive seasons, artisans say the income earned during this period sustains their families for several months.

“We earn enough during these festivals to cover household needs for three to four months,” said Paro Marik, a Dom woman from Bardibas–1, who was selling chhiti and other bamboo items in Gaushala market. “This income helps feed our children and fulfills their small wishes.”

As festival season approaches, artisans are busy sourcing bamboo, splitting and weaving it into required items. “It’s a busy time — from collecting bamboo to delivering finished goods to the market,” said Ratan Marik of Jaleshwar–1.

Skilled Bin and Dom craftsmen are now working day and night, and the rush will continue until Chhath begins.