Unique Bamboo Crafts of Tripura and the Story Behind Them

Tripura, often called one of India’s bamboo heartlands, is home to a vibrant craft culture where bamboo is more than material—it is identity, livelihood, and storytelling. Across villages and towns, artisans turn simple culms and strips into products that carry both everyday utility and quiet elegance.

1. Bamboo Mats and Curtains

Finely woven mats, room dividers, and curtains are among Tripura’s most distinctive crafts. Using species like Muli and Dolu bamboo, artisans create flexible yet strong weaves for floor mats, dining mats, and window panels. Today, brands like Silpakarman work with clusters that specialise in flat-weave innovations, adapting traditional techniques for contemporary homes.

2. Baskets, Khuplu & Khupli

Basketry is central to Tripura’s bamboo story. Large storage baskets (khuplu), smaller utility baskets (khupli), and fish traps are crafted with patterns perfected over generations. These pieces are used in agriculture, markets, and ceremonies, and remain a vital part of Reang and other tribal communities’ daily life.

3. Moora Stools and Furniture

The iconic bamboo-and-cane moora stool is a symbol of Tripura’s ingenuity. Lightweight yet sturdy, it embodies the region’s approach to functional, portable furniture. Artisans now translate the same weaving logic into side tables, benches, and accent pieces, bridging rural forms with modern interiors.

4. Wall Hangings, Lamps and Decor

From hand-painted mat wall hangings to latticed bamboo lamps, Tripura’s artisans have long experimented with decorative forms. These pieces play with light and shadow, showcasing complex weaves and cutwork. Government emporiums and social brands present them as contemporary design objects while retaining their traditional essence.

5. The Story Behind the Craft

• Bamboo thrives naturally in Tripura’s climate, giving communities a renewable, affordable raw material.

• Craft skills are passed down through families and tribes like the Reang, making each product part of an unbroken cultural memory.

• Organisations such as Silpakarman build value chains that link village clusters to national and global markets, ensuring artisans receive fairer incomes and recognition.

These unique crafts are special not only for how they look, but for what they represent: a story of people, place, and a grass that became “green gold” for Tripura.