Sabai Grass Rope Craft — Odisha and Bengal

Sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata) is a hardy perennial grass that grows on degraded hills and wastelands in Odisha, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. Tribal women harvest sabai twice yearly, twist it into rope by hand or on simple spindle, and weave into baskets, mats, bags, and utility items. Sabai rope is strong, pliable, and traditionally used for tying sheaves, repairing mud walls, and making charpai cots. Modern applications include export-quality furniture, home decor, and luxury packaging. Odisha's Nayagarh, Kandhamal, and Gajapati districts are the main sabai belt. ORMAS and Handicrafts Board provide design training and export linkages. Sabai also used as raw material in pulp and paper industry. Collection from common lands follows rotational harvesting to prevent over-exploitation. Women's SHGs in sabai craft earn ₹4,000–8,000/month.