India’s bond with bamboo is ancient, ecological, cultural, and deeply spiritual. Revered as “Green Gold,” bamboo sustains millions of indigenous communities across the country. For these tribes, bamboo isn’t merely a plant-it’s shelter, livelihood, identity, and heritage.
From the lush hills of the North-East to the dense forests of Central India, from the vibrant plains of North India to the coastal belts of the South and the arid stretches of the West, bamboo connects people through tradition and craftsmanship.
Regions Where Bamboo Tribes Thrive:
| Region | Tribe / Community | States / Areas | Key Bamboo Uses & Cultural Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| North-East India | Mizo (Lushai) | Mizoram | Houses, tools, crafts, musical instruments; deep cultural ties. |
| Kuki | Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram | Bamboo dance, baskets, utensils; cultural performances.¹ | |
| Khasi | Meghalaya | Bamboo structures, tools, fish traps; rain shields. | |
| Garo | Meghalaya | Baskets, mats, household items; traditional uses. | |
| Bodo | Assam | Basketry, tools, fishing traps, fencing, crafts. | |
| Karbi | Assam | Bamboo baskets, construction items, fishing gear.¹ | |
| Dimasa | Assam | Baskets, traps, tools from bamboo.¹ | |
| North India | Tharu | Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (Terai) | Housing framework, baskets, festival objects. |
| Jaunsari | Uttarakhand | Roofing, bamboo tools, domestic craft. | |
| Reang (Bru) | Tripura (North-East adjacent) | Traditional bamboo instrument use; cultural practices.¹ | |
| Central & East India | Gond | MP, Chhattisgarh | Housing, tools, fishing devices, ritual objects. |
| Baiga | MP, Chhattisgarh | Daily utility items, basketry, construction. | |
| Santhal | Jharkhand, West Bengal | Bamboo musical instruments, baskets, storage goods. | |
| Juang | Odisha | Bamboo baskets, implements, housing support. | |
| Dongria Kondh | Odisha | Implements, craft items; livelihood tools. | |
| Karbi (also in East) | Assam/NE | Crafts, bamboo utensils.¹ | |
| West India | Bhil | Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra | Tools, fencing, bows/arrows, ceremonial bamboo uses. |
| Warli | Maharashtra, Gujarat | Traditional frames, household bamboo frameworks.(Wikipedia) | |
| Dangi & Rathwa | Gujarat | Bamboo baskets, trays, household items. | |
| Kotwalias | Gujarat | Traditional bamboo artisans; basket makers. | |
| Bansfoda / Vansfoda | Gujarat & Rajasthan | Bamboo splitting & craft community; household goods. | |
| South India | Medari Community | Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana | Skilled bamboo artisans; baskets, tools, furniture. |
| Toda | Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris) | Sacred structures; bamboo and cane in ritual homes. | |
| Irula & Kurumba | TN & Kerala | Traditional baskets, traps, tools. | |
| Soliga | Karnataka | Bamboo crafts; forest-based livelihoods. | |
| Kolam | Telangana/Andhra Pradesh | Bamboo craft tradition being revived; PVTG artisans.(Deccan Chronicle) | |
| Paniyan, Kurichiya, Adiyan | Kerala | Bamboo items for housing, utensils. |
