Churki basket is an indigenous workmanship of the Gadaba tribe. One among numerous ethnic groups present in the State of Orissa and Andhra Pradesh, Gadabas mostly inhabit the hilly geographic areas. Rich in culture and nature-respecting, the Gadabas can make many household utility goods with the local materials they can find, using bamboo as their major source material.
The Churki basket is made using finely prepared split bamboo strips, which are integrated through the intricate weaving processes that the tribe has handed down from generation to generation. The structure of the basket is thus very much functional and purposeful. It has a squarish base with four prominent corners, enabling it to rest quite stably on differing types of surfaces. This firm base design would ensure that the basket remained balanced even with the heaviest load, whether that be agricultural produce or household materials.
The walls of this basket are woven in a consistent, tight pattern which further improves its strength and makes it fit for prolonged uses. Simple though it might appear, the Churki is an item of careful artistry, conceived for functionality and permanence with the daily life of the tribal people.
This basket is overall used in agriculture and domestic work, such as storing grains and vegetables or firewood, and is a representation of the Gadaba sustainable lifestyle and innovation in the effective utilization of nature.