The bark cloth from the state of Odisha is unique to the Gadaba tribe and is a relic of tribal customs, demonstrating the intimate relationship between the tribe and nature-and their ancestors. The cloth is finer in quality than a coarse product, somewhat medium, and off-white in color, while depicting the use of bark thread for its making, giving it a nature-based and manually crafted feel. The pictorial effects of this garment are extraordinarily fascinating, where red and blue stripes seem to run crosswise on the cloth body at consistent intervals. These colors thus add fondness to the visual appeal while also being symbolic in tribal culture, representing vitality, jubilation, and the tribal identity of that region. The lays and repeated patterns of these stripes represent the genre fondness for symmetry and order in their textile culture.
Bark cloth is the attire reserved for special occasions, festivals, and rituals. It has attained a high status due to its functioning during cultural ceremonies and not day-to-day wearing. On such occasions, the cloth becomes an insignia of tribal pride and continuity of tradition. The process of making bark cloth consists of some species of trees from which the bark is stripped, which is then soaked and beaten into flexible threads, and woven by hand. The method is environmentally friendly and highlights the indigenous knowledge of the Gadaba tribe and their resourcefulness in using these natural products without damaging the environment. Today this bark cloth is not just an example of tribal textile heritage but also a significant cultural artifact telling the story of the Gadaba people's relationship with their environment and the traditional way of life.