Korku Tribal Weaving and Bamboo Craft of Satpura Betul

Korku communities of Betul are among the original inhabitants of the Satpura range, maintaining material culture adapted to the dense forest environment. Korku women weave cotton on horizontal frame looms using traditional geometric patterns with supplementary weft thread. The characteristic Korku motif is the diamond grid with contrasting colour fill, repeated across the cloth surface. Bamboo craft is equally important: Korku artisans produce storage baskets, grain sieves, animal traps, and ceremonial objects from the abundant bamboo of the Satpura slopes. The bamboo matting used for wall construction in Korku settlements is woven in a twill pattern that provides both structural strength and natural ventilation. Betul district craft cooperatives have connected Korku artisans to Bhopal and Mumbai fair-trade markets for bamboo furniture and handloom cloth.