Assam’s indigenous heritage and traditional craftsmanship have received significant recognition. Recently, four traditional products from Assam have been granted the GI tag, paving the way for the state’s tribal weaving art, bamboo craft, and cultural heritage to gain new visibility at national and international levels.
The products that received this recognition are: Karbi Anglong handloom products, Deori handloom products, Assam’s traditional bamboo craft, and the Bihu Pepa. These products, which carry the state’s unique identity, have represented centuries-old traditions, indigenous knowledge, and cultural heritage.
This effort, completed with the support of NABARD, enabled Assam’s traditional products to secure GI tag recognition. As a result of this recognition, the authenticity of these products will receive legal protection, and their value and demand are likely to increase in domestic and foreign markets.
According to experts, the GI tag will not only economically benefit local artisans, weavers, and producers but also help strengthen rural livelihoods. It is also expected to play a positive role in preserving traditional arts and crafts.
Notably, these four products reflect a wide spectrum of Assam’s diverse traditional knowledge systems. Tribal weaving techniques, intricate bamboo craftsmanship, and musical instruments like the Pepa, which is closely associated with the Bihu festival, carry a unique identity of Assam’s culture and way of life.
This recognition is being viewed as an important step toward preserving indigenous heritage, ensuring the protection of local producers, and promoting rural economic development.
