Traditional artifacts from <i>Bena</i> grass [<i><span style="mso-font-kerning:18.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN; mso-fareast-language:EN-IN">Chrysopogon</span></i><span style="mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-IN;mso-fareast-language:EN-IN"> <i>zizanioides </i>(L.) Roberty] (Poaceae) in Jajpur district of Odisha, India </span>

Abstract

The paper reports the utility of a common wetland plant <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Bena</i> in traditional craft making in some rural pockets of Jajpur district of Odisha. The field survey was conducted during the year 2010-2012 to access the present status of this unique plant based craft as well as the condition of the artisans involved in this craft making. Data were collected through interview with elderly artisans of the area of study. The result revealed that making artifacts from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Bena</i> is exclusively the hand work of female folk belonging to SC (Scheduled caste) and ST (Scheduled tribe) communities. Most of these artisans are either daily wage labourers or marginal farmers while making such craft is their secondary occupation. They collect the raw material, i.e. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Bena</i> stem from the nearby field, process it and make around two hundred varieties of attractive craft items both for traditional use in socio-religious rituals and as modern life style accessories. These artifacts are appreciated for their intricate design and glazing golden yellow colour. The existing conditions of this folk craft as well as the artisans were analysed. Some remedial measures are suggested to save this endangered craft from oblivion.