Crafting Traditional Bows: Case Study 10, Khasi Hills
Crafting Traditional Bows: Case Study 10, Khasi Hills
| Main Info | ML/KH/HD/010: Traditional Craftsmanship: Bow Making Case of Khongsngi W, Khasi Hills |
| Name of the Technique | Crafting Traditional Bows |
| Source Author | Khongsngi W |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |
| History Of The Technique | The knowledge owner has been crafting traditional bows since he was twenty years old. The possessor of traditional knowledge is an expert at creating bows and various kinds of arrows that are used for various tasks. |
| Manufacturing technique | A- Smoothening using a knife, B- Making of a nock, C- Applying of Rangpat |
| Method of Preparation | Method of making a Bow: · The bamboo (should have three node and their length between the nodes should be equal) is cut into required size once it has been collected and placed above the chimney to dry for three to four months. · The bamboo is carefully cut and carved into the desired shape using a knife. · After getting a desired shape the bamboo is then smoothen using sandpaper. · The string of the bow locally known as the “Sai siej” is made from a local bamboo, the reason is due to its strength and flexibility. · The nocking point in the string is made using a thread coated in the Bthing(bee wax). · Two method are used to preserve the bow (i) storing the bow above the chimney (ii) applying touchwood |
| Material Composition | Materials used: · Bamboo (skhen, Ringai) (area Collected-War shnong) · Birth Feathers (Crane father from Bangladesh area) or any big bird · Thread · Rangpat (Foil) · Bthing (Bee wax) · Iron (Nar thang sner) · Iron (Truck Vehicle spring) for arrow tip made for throwing by hand · Tin (Tin tata) for arrow tip · Laha (Glue for arrow tip) · Needles |
| New R & D leads | Traditional Bow Making |
| Theme | Traditional Handicraft |
| Sub Theme | Wood products |
| Tags | Carpentry,Decorative Items,Household Items,Marketing,Non-Timber Forest Products,Show piece,Timber,Timber Products,Wood-Pulp Industry |
| Source Author | Khongsngi W |
| Source Publisher | Primary Survey, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya |
| Source Year | 2023 |