Traditionally, the Gunia is a large bamboo basket used for fishing mostly made by the Gadaba Tribe of Odisha. The Gadabas are known to have a very strong relationship with the rivers and streams found in the Eastern Ghats. The Gunia was developed by them as a functional and sustainable device for small fishing and water foraging. The Gunia is very delicately arranged with split bamboo strips with small holes situated at reg" ular intervals on the body. These get perforated beautifully so that water can pass freely through while retaining the catch inside, thus quite suitable for trapping fish and other aquatic organisms. The circular rim is reinforced with two thick strips of bamboo that give it strength to withstand heavy use against rough waters.
What's special about the Gunia, though, is its rim tightly wrapped using 17 bamboo straps, each strap tightly wound separately at equal distances from one another, giving much better grip and durability. The base is square-ish, helping in balancing the basket when kept in shallow water, while the projections at slightly acute angles found at each corner aid in stabilizing the basket against currents and terrains.
The Gunia, a product not just meant for daily needs but one instrument of creation holding untold memories and experiences of the indigenous peoples, long regarded as the knowledge of indigenous people, preserved over generations through oral tradition and practical application. It signifies the Gadaba community's craftsmanship, the sustainable use of their resource, and harmonious coexistence with their natural environment.