Themes
tribal artefacts
Winnowing Fan , arunachal pradesh
Winnowing Fan is a folk instrument, being prepared by the Adi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, India. A durable structure and intricately designed, it serves vital purposes among the Adi peoples. The fan is made out of bamboo and cane; the making process is highly skillful and precise. This reflects rampant mastery within the community in bamboo craft and traditional utility implements.
The Adis are considered indigenous to Arunachal Pradesh and are primarily found in the Siang region. Famous for bamboo handicrafts, the Adi integrate nature's resources into their daily life. Their bamboo and cane crafts symbolize the Adi relationship with the environment in that they use these readily available materials to create functional as well as beautiful items.
The Winnowing Fan is devised from bamboo and cane-a material abundantly available in Arunachal Pradesh's thick forests. Further, these natural fibers are flexible and durable and therefore ideal for making sturdy household items. The Adi Tribe skillfully weaves these materials into a lightweight yet sturdy fan, suitable for daily and repeated personal use.
For centuries, this winnowing fan has been employed in the cleaning up of rice, an important staple crop for the Adi people. When grains are tossed from side to side, impurities like husk and dust are separated, resulting in clean and good quality rice prepared for consumption. This demonstrates the relevance of the fan in food quality maintenance and somewhat forms an integral part of the meal preparation in Adi households.
Culturally, it symbolizes the Adi community's agrarian lifestyle and self-sufficiency. The fan represents more than just work: it is a symbol of their traditional hand-craftsmanship, relevant to the successive generations of artisans. It strengthens the Adi Tribe's bond with its land, resources, and its past culture, relation that gives meaning to the concept of time for the people, their ancestors, and their traditional way of life.