Sikki Craft

Sikki craft is a virtual wonder of Bihar handicrafts. It transforms the simplest and the most common of things to the most wonderful objects, as if by magic. This wonder is executed by the extremely efficient artistry of the the sikki women. Bihar's Sikki craft is a product of the Mithila region of Northern Bihar. It is intrinsically connected to the cultural life of Bihar. Sikki craft objects are usually employed in making baskets, bags, hats and even intricate animal, bird and human figures.

Sikki is fundamentally a kind of a grass-like weed that grows on the banks of the Ganges. The women collect these weeds in plenty and dry them. The weeds are then dried, by virtue of which they get a lustrous golden hue and a beautiful coarse texture. Then they are twisted into ropes. These ropes are thereafter made into baskets and other such items of great beauty. In order to strengthen the baskets, the artisans use strands of the same sikki grasses. Sikki craft of Bihar are extremely environment friendly and exclusive and are greatly loved by one and all.

Sikki craft of Bihar have a natural golden glow, the natural color of the dried grass. However, sometimes the grasses are dyed in different colors. Then these colored strands of sikki are used to create the most intricate patterns within the baskets. If baskets are the basic products of Sikki craft in Bihar, then the innate creativity of the artists force them to take up more challenging products, including festival figures and headgears that protect one from the blazing sun of the Gangetic plains. The artisans have also updated themselves into creating various kinds of utilitarian objects like coasters and tablewares.