This gourd container is a tribute to the Rabha tribes of Assam and is an excellent example of the ingenious use of natural materials for sustenance in tribal life. The Rabha, an indigenous community from Assam and parts of Meghalaya, is known to be environmental custodians who live in harmony with nature.The round-bellied container is made from a dried gourd without changing its natural curvature, gracefully tapering down toward the circular mouth that is open at the top. This feature seals in beauty with its usefulness. Such gourd containers are used by the Rabha people for the storage of water, grains, seeds, oils, or other fermented items. They are ideally suited for any daily use as they are light yet very robust.
An interesting feature is a twisted jute rope tied tightly and securely around the mouth of the container, which might have been intended to close with a natural stopper or just as a means of carrying or hanging. This detail again lends to the usage of biodegradable materials and materials easily available to the Rabha in the spirit of their environment-friendly way of living.Held in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, this container shows the ingenuity and craftsmanship of the Rabha tribe. It is much more than a utilitarian object, for it embodies the indigenous knowledge and ecological wisdom of the past. Such objects become crucial in understanding the tribal communities' rich culture in India.