Recently, the Geographical Indication Registry under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry approved a GI tag to Ringal craft and six other indigenous products of Uttarakhand. Also known as “ningaw” in traditional language, Ringal is a dwarf bamboo, sturdy and flexible. It is used to make basketry in Kumaun and Garhwal regions in Uttarakhand.
Ringal weaving is a traditional craft and is socioeconomically important in Uttarakhand. The craft is one of the traditional ways of livelihood in rural areas that constitute around 80% of the region in the state. The Ringal products are environmentally friendly and are made to serve multiple purposes.
The flexibility of the Ringal allows it to be folded and shaped in various ways. As a result, a range of products can be created using the Ringal. It can be used to create storage boxes, baskets, soulta (a basket used to carry grass and firewood).
The Ringal products become artistically beautiful when some decorative elements are added to their making. It is a way to attain financial independence for several villagers especially women who are involved actively in this craft.
Types of Ringaal used for Handicrafts
Generally, there are 5 types of Ringal available and used to make Handicrafts by weavers (rudiyas).
1- Drepanostachyum Falcatum –
Scientific Name | Local Name | Hindi Name |
Drepanostachyum Falcatum (Nees) Keng f. | Golu or Garh or Garila ringal | गढ़ या गडेलू रिंगाल |
Himalayan Weeping Bamboo is called Drepanostachyum Falcatum in the world of plants. It is a beautiful soft dandy bamboo with drooping leaves. It has thick, drooping branches, bright green stems, and small, thin leaves that look like paper. At the ligule, the leaf blades fall off. They are lance-shaped, 7.5–10 cm long, and 5–8 mm wide.
Drepanostachyum Falcatum (Golu or Garh or Garila ringal), on the other hand, is easy to find, but the weavers don’t use it because the bark is rough and it doesn’t last long.
2- Thamnocalamus Spathiflorus –
Scientific Name | Local Name | Hindi Name |
Thamnocalamus Spathiflorus | Dev Ringal | देव रिंगाल |
Thamnocalamus spathiflorus is an evergreen bamboo that grows in clumps and can reach heights of 3 to 4 meters, and sometimes 5.5 meters. It has straight, woody culms that are 10 to 20 mm in diameter and thin-walled internodes that are 15 to 18 cm long.
Thamnocalamus Spathiflorus (Dev ringal) is used to make puja thalis, roofs and coverings for their grass houses, hookah pipes, and walking sticks because it is flexible, has a natural yellowish color, and stands up straight.
3- T. jonsarensis –
Scientific Name | Local Name | Hindi Name |
T. jonsarensis | Tham Ringal | थाम रिंगाल ( सबसे मजबूत और मोटा रिंगाल ) |
A vigorous, spreading bamboo that can grow to be 3-3.5m tall or more. It has very straight, glossy, dark green canes and drooping branches with leaves that are up to 15cm long and shaped like narrow lances.
4 – Arundinaria falcata –
Scientific Name | Local Name | Hindi Name |
Arundinaria falcata | Sararu Ringal | सरडू रिंगाल |
Sinarundinaria falcata Chao & Renvoize (Ringal) is a useful species of hill bamboo that has many uses in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is an economically important species.
5- Bhatputra –
Bhatputra is known by locals and has been found in the district of Rudraprayag. Bhatpura is used to make crafts and items for farming.
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Ringaal Craft Gets GI Tag –
Ringal or Ringaal is a plant that grows in Uttarakhand and has many uses. Ringal is a big part of the way people in Uttarakhand live their lives. Ringal is used for many things, like ink pens, different kinds of baskets for carrying and storing things, baskets for flower pots or brooms, and baskets for storing food. It would not be wrong to say that Ringal is an important part of the everyday life of the people of Uttarakhand.
#UttarakhandRingal Craft gets the #GI tag
— DPIIT India (@DPIITGoI) September 30, 2021
Ringal weaving is a nifty and age-old art. The artisans use a special species of dwarf Ringal that grows in these areas to weave. Ringal is nearly water-resistant is very popular among the villagers & tourist places in the state. pic.twitter.com/rwN1TWNmGK