Generations of Kainis, Parkis produce artistic Nigalo goods

By Pushkar Bhandari,Dadeldhura, Oct. 18: Locals from Kaini Tol in Amargadhi Municipality-7 have maintained a rich tradition of crafting various items from Nigalo (Himalayan bamboo) for generations. 

The Kaini and Parki communities produce everyday household goods, including traditional grain storage containers, which play a crucial role in supporting festival expenses during major celebrations like Dashain, Tihar, and New Year Bishu Parba.

Laxman Kaini, a local, explained that during Dashain and Tihar, when rice, maize, millet, and wheat are harvested, the demand for these handmade goods increases.

He informed that with the onset of major festivals during the harvest season, the tradition of selling Nigalo items to cover festival expenses has persisted since ancient times.

Items such as ‘Korngo’ and ‘Duro,’ made from Nigalo, are sold at premium prices, with large containers capable of holding four quintals of grain fetching up to Rs. 4,000 each. 

He explained that while there was once significant demand for these products in the Tarai districts of Kailali and Kanchanpur, urbanisation in those areas has reduced the market, leaving Nigalo goods primarily sold in rural villages of Dadeldhura and Doti.

Another local, Narayan Kaini, noted that the tradition of selling Nigalo products from village to village during Ashoj, Kartik, Falgun and Chaitra has been handed down through generations.

He noted that an individual can earn more than 100,000 rupees in a single season by selling more than 30 Duros. This income supports the purchase of clothing and crops throughout the year.

However, the Kaini community has expressed concern over the decline in demand for their traditional products, with the market being overtaken by modern alternatives such as zinc containers, plastic bins, and sacks.

The community is worried about the emergence of a situation in which traditional skills may no longer be commercially viable.

Additionally, the depletion of forests in the central hills has made sourcing Nigalo more difficult. 

Datta Parki, another local, remarked that while community forests have been established, cutting down trees remains a challenge. The Nigalo used this year to produce items was sourced from the forests of Bajhang district.

Despite the efforts of various organisations to promote the production of furniture and other items made from Nigalo, commercial success has been limited.