From CK Nayak
NEW DELHI, July 5: Despite the record deficit rainfall, the monsoon has arrived in Meghalaya, bringing brisk sales of umbrellas and raincoats in different colours and shapes, especially in urban areas. In most rural parts of the state, however, farmers and sellers continue to rely on the traditional hands-free knup — an eco-friendly rain shield made of bamboo and palm leaves — even during intense rains.
This 100-year-old traditional rain shield functions like a domed, elongated hat. Entirely eco-friendly, it is made of tightly woven bamboo and palm leaves or broad forest leaves. Strapped on like a backpack, it leaves both hands completely free, allowing one to carry firewood or a basket of vegetables.
Canoe-shaped or dome-shaped, the knup is designed to cover the head and extend down the back, acting as natural armour against torrential rain and hailstones. Worn on the head, it leaves both hands free, enabling farmers and locals to work, carry baskets, or navigate steep terrain unhindered — something modern umbrellas and raincoats cannot offer.
The knup originated primarily in the rural, heavy-rainfall regions of the state, such as Mawsynram, famously known as the wettest place on earth. It holds a special place in tribal culture and appears in folk songs and local legends.
While foldable and colourful umbrellas have gained popularity in the towns, the knup remains a staple in rural and agricultural communities. One can sometimes find them as authentic, handmade souvenirs or functional rain gear in local rural markets.Even during peak rains on muddy roads leading to valley farms, one often sees someone walking completely dry, both hands free, wearing what looks like a tortoise shell strapped to their back.
Pronounced “ka-noop”, the knup has been part of daily tribal life for generations. It curves from the head down to below the knees, wide at the shoulders and tapering to a point at the base. It is a genuinely loved everyday object, deeply woven into the culture itself.
Making a knup is not simple and takes time. Bamboo is woven in an open-hexagonal pattern across two layers, with dried palm leaves sandwiched in for waterproofing. The whole structure is pinned together with bamboo and sewn at the edges with fine bamboo splits.
This homemade craft has never gone out of use in the state, known as the abode of clouds. While plastic ponchos are creeping in as easy alternatives, the handwoven knup is still widely worn across vast rural areas, especially in the fields.
