Palung is a beautifully crafted bamboo basket by the Bhutia tribe, an indigenous community chiefly inhabiting Sikkim. The Bhutias are famous for their bamboo and cane-weaving skills, in which weaving is very much a part of their daily life. This brightly colored basket, made of split bamboo with a square base, has a strong and stable foundation. Outwardly, the basket displays red and green cane strips meticulously woven into intricate patterns, enhancing the aesthetics of this creation while strengthening the structure. The colors echo the natural landscape and bright, summery spirit of the Bhutia who respect nature and have imprinted their artistic essence onto it.
The Palung finds several uses in a Bhutia household. It is generally used to store grains, to carry materials, and even for decorative purposes. A useful basket for day-to-day activities, Palung perfectly reflects the Bhutias’ environmental culture: using bamboo to make this basket continues the life of an ancient craft of bamboo weaving that has been circulating through generations. In spite of modernity, basket weaving is a very strong aspect of Bhutia culture, along with all other traditions. Prev palungs are still in use in everyday life, secular functions, festivals, and religious ceremonies. These baskets uphold the traditions of the tribe while committing themselves to a deep respect for their culture.