Chafla, is an exclusive bamboo basket commonly made and used by the Rabha tribe residing in the states of Assam. The highly renowned basket has a shape like a small boat constructed from a single strip of bamboo which has been split longitudi-nally and plaited with bamboo splits, thus revealing the great skill of the tribe in handling natural resources. Construction of the Chafla is quite amazing as it serves the natural node of the bamboo as a handle, so that strength of the bamboo is preserved and ingeniousness has been displayed by Rabha as waste minimization and maximization of utility. This is then exquisitely split and woven on the other end, accommodating smooth rounded bottom similar to that of a tiny boat.
The Chafla finds application in carrying lightweight objects, collecting fruits, or holding grains, while its shape favors easy carrying in settings where quick maneuvering is essential, especially across the irregular terrains usually found in hilly and forest-clad tribal areas. The open structure and shallow depth also lend the Chafla to temporary storage with quick retrieval during fieldwork or forest collection. Rabha culture regards such handicrafts as evidence of their bonding with nature and their traditional knowledge handed down the generations.