The BowBamboo is an ancient weapon and tool of the Kadar tribe, an indigenous community inhabiting forests in the Anamalai Hills and the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The Kadar have always lived a closely-knit existence in intimate association with nature, using hand-made tools for hunting and sustenance.Flexibility and toughness are characteristics of the bamboo from which the bow is made. The notches carved at both ends of the stave are designed to hold the bow string snugly. Simple yet effective, this bow articulates the deep understanding of natural materials and resourceful craftsmanship of the Kadar tribe.
The bow is mainly used for small game hunting but of course is much more than just a weapon. It is a symbol of the tribe's unity with the forest ecosystem. Passed from one generation to another, it embodies the survival knowledge and skills of traditional wisdom that have sustained the Kadar through the years.