A cluster is defined as a geographic concentration(a city/town/few adjacent villages and their adjoining areas)of units producing near similar products and facing common opportunities and threats.An artisan cluster is defined as geographically concentrated(mostly in villages/townships)household units producing handicraft/handloom products.In a typical cluster,such producers often belong to a traditional community,producing the long-established products for generations.Indeed,many artisan clusters are centuries old Artisan.

About Bamol Leikai Cluster:-

Bamol Leikai Cluster falls under Manipur State in Imphal  East district.

The Bamon Kambu cluster is able to form above 203 Artisans and 14 SHGs supporting the strong work force.The mobilisation gains momentum day by day.

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Cane and bamboo:-

Cane and bamboo craft in Manipur is an integral part of their daily life. It is a traditional craft and has been practiced from time immemorial. Initially these natural fibres were used to make products of daily use.Every tribe and community makes materials of aesthetic yet functional use, their skills evolved over centuries of usage. 
 
Manipur is the second largest producer of bamboo products after Tripura in the north east.Some of the bamboo products are sofa sets, murhas, mats, basketry, tray, chair, table, flower vase, ashtray and other decorative and utility articles. Bamboo and cane is also used in housing, fencing and even clothing.Most products of the plains are of commercial use like the baskets and the fishing traps.The hills are more into furniture, houses and its implements etc. Though many commercial items are also made today.

Basketry involves joining cane, bamboo with bamboo strips with minimum number of tools.It is done on account of high tensile strength of the cane or bamboo.Joining grass with grass with the minimum use of tools can be considered.

In the can craft, mostly furniture items are being made which has a very good local demand.The range of items produced that time and still in use in village include patlo (basket), varli (used for washing) rice and grains), suplis (for cleaning rice), mats in different sizes etc.
 
Bamboo stems or culms of smaller diameters along with cane are used in whole or split form for a variety of baskets, furniture, winnowing trays, hand fans, head gear, fish traps, umbrellas and floor mats.The hollow inter-nodes of bamboo make ideal beer-mugs, hukkas, pipes and musical instruments.
 
Bamboo stems or culms of smaller diameters along with cane are used in whole or split form, for a variety of baskets, furniture, tray, hand fans, floor mats etc.The articles made include mats, table lamps, bags, moorahs, fruit baskets and vases.The other special items are bamboo screens, lamp stands and table mats.Screens made from spilt bamboo are so finely worked that they acquire an ivory look. These are delicately ornamented with colored bamboo chips applique.

Raw materials:- 

Cane, Bamboo, Reeds, aloe fibre., grass, leaves, papers, hacksaw, bill hook, kerosene lamp, mat loom.

Process:- 

The whole stem of cane and bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and split longitudinally into various sizes by a billhook.The cane is heated on a slow fire, generally with a kerosene lamp for flexibility.The objects can be made in two different forms:coiling for baskets; and weaving for mats.In coiled basketry, foundation of the basket is built first by coiling a cane round a central core. It is built up spirally and gradually the width is increased until desired height is attained.The coils are joined together by sewing strips which can be attached in two ways: each stitch passed over the new portion of the foundation coil.Figure of eight is made i.e., the stitch passes behind up, over and under the preceding coil and right over the new coil.Thus coil material is sewn with the strips and a basket is made.The ornamentation of the baskets can be done with attaining lace, paper and shells.
 
The craftsmen cut the bamboo into sizes of desired length with the help of cutting tools called Dao. Bamboo length cut as per thickness with the help of different kinds of knives. The material thus ready is used for making frame of an article or furniture where as pencil cane is used for designing and binding purpose. The thick cane is used for making frame of an article or furniture where as pencil cane is used for designing and binding purpose. The cane is bend in the desired shape for a furniture or article by process of heating with blow lamp. The ends are joined with adhesive and nail and the joints are binded with strips of pencil cane. The items produced in cane & bamboo are cleaned with sand-paper and polished with varnish. 

Techniques:- 

The Techniques of cane and bamboo articles involves the cutting of whole stems with a hack saw and slicing them into splits of various sizes using a bill hook or dao. Slicing is done longitudinally along the length of the densely packed fibres and a fairly smooth operation, requiring only the requisite amount of moisture in the culm. A kerosene lamp is used to heat the cane before it can be bent into shape. 
 
The whole stein of cane & bamboo is cut with a hacksaw and spilt longitudinally into various size by a bil hook. The cane is heated on a slow fire, with a kerosene lamp for flexibility. The objects can be made in different forms. The weaving Techniques is done by hand, using water to soften the splits.

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How to reach:-

From Guwahati daily on the NH 39 via Dimapur and Komiha. Manipur State Road Transport Corporation(MSRTC) and many other private buses available.From Dimapur daily on the NH 39 via Komiha. Manipur State Road Transport Corporation(MSRTC) and many other private buses available.From Silchar daily on the NH 39 via Jiribam. Manipur State Road Transport Corporation(MSRTC) and many other private buses available.