Traditional Knowledge on Wild Fiber Processing of <i>Allo</i> in Bhedetar of Sunsari District, Nepal

Abstract

In Bhedetar village in the eastern Sunsari district, rai, magar and tamang people, indigenous to the eastern hills of Nepal, have found an ingenious use for the allo plant (Girardiana diversifolia). They have culturally and socially determined uses for the plant as food, fodder and medicine, but they have also been earning their livelihood by making fabric and clothing from this plant. At the local level, they derive allo fibers from the plant to make sacks, bags, coarse clothes, fishnets and namlo (headstraps to carry load) which is sold in the local market or in some cases is bartered for food or other necessary items in some rural communities. On a more macro level, the allo fibers are outsourced to the capital city of Kathmandu where various items made from allo fiber are prepared and exported from Nepal as handlooms and handicrafts.