Assam Family Preserves 100-Year-Old Bamboo Artifacts, Appeals for Govt Support

In the quiet village of Boginadi in Assam's Lakhimpur district, a rare and fascinating collection of bamboo and cane items has been lovingly preserved for over a century. The artifacts, created by Golap Chandra Saikia more than 100 years ago, are now being taken care of by his grandson, Ram Saikia.

This unique collection includes over 60 different items — all made from bamboo and cane. Among them are a full outfit consisting of a shirt, pants, cap, glasses, a watch, and even a shoulder bag. There are also beautifully made flower vases, trays (sarai), and hand-held accessories like the traditional lakhuti.

“These were made entirely by my grandfather using bamboo. I am wearing a cap made by him,” Ram Saikia said. “In those days, people didn’t have access to expensive clothes. My grandfather wore these bamboo clothes even when visiting relatives. It was a sign of pride and dignity.”

Some of the items in the collection, like cane necklaces and decorative pieces, were once exchanged as valuable gifts — often considered more special than gold. The craftsmanship is so impressive that the family believes some of the garments were strong enough to resist gunfire.

Over the years, these items have been displayed at exhibitions in places like Delhi, Kerala, Kolkata, and even Indonesia. The work has also received national recognition, including the President’s Award. Yet, despite the heritage value of the artifacts, the family says they have never received any support from the government.

“I’ve taken care of these items for years, but it’s getting harder,” Ram Saikia said. “If the government helps, I want to build a proper home or museum to keep them safe. This is not just my family’s history — it’s the pride of Lakhimpur.”

Some of the pieces are now starting to show signs of wear. Ram hopes that by turning this rare collection into a museum, future generations will get to see and appreciate the creativity and skill of the past. “I just want help so that this legacy doesn’t disappear,” he said.

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