This wonderfully handcrafted box made of bamboo is used by members of the Khond Tribe of Odisha. It's designed for the purpose of actually storing personal belongings belonging to women. The whole box is made of finely split bamboo and comes in a square shape with an enclosed fitted lid for the purpose of functionality as well as safety for daily use.
This is perhaps the most striking feature of the saski. Intricate geometric woven designs grow over all the surfaces of the box. Often, these covered decorations are symbols for which items also are representations, and these speak about the artistic sensibility of the Khond women who have been weaving them for generations. Each of these designs may be symbolic of nature, fertility, protection, or identity within the tribal circles.Usually, it is the females of the household who use the same. It stores items like ornaments, beads, cloth, and various things of personal treasure. As it is also the paradigm of privacy and self-expression. Such boxes are usually transferred as an item of heritage from one mother to the other. The organization of the box-square bottom and fitted lid suffices to provide it durability, safe keeping of its contents from dust and insects. Abundance of bamboo and its eco-friendliness speak of the Khond' life in a sustainable way and their bond with forests.The saski is much more than a functional object-it engages with great concern, skill, and craftsmanship, representing the traditional lifestyle of Khond women.