Bamboo in the socio-cultural context of the Meitei ethnic group from the Indo-Burma hotspot region of India.

The present study documents the socio-cultural association of bamboo products with the Meitei ethnic group in India. From birth to death, the Meiteis have incorporated bamboo products in every socio-cultural context, where the plant is used in the events of ipaan thaba (birth rituals), luhongba (marriage rituals) and potloiba (cremation of departed souls). Further, the techniques used by locals of Andro, Bishnupur and Kakching to process and preserve bamboo shoots in the form of soibum and soidon were also documented. Such traditional knowledge is orally transmitted, it needs proper documentation and preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]