Sabai grass craft (ସବାଇ ଘାସ କାରିଗରି) is the handmade basketry and décor of Mayurbhanj district in northern Odisha. It is made from the tough, slender leaves of sabai grass (Eulaliopsis binata). Rural women, many organised in self-help groups, roll the grass into ropes or coils and stitch or weave them into baskets, mats, bags, boxes, jewellery and small furniture. For many households in Mayurbhanj, sabai grass is both a farm crop and a source of craft income.
What is sabai grass?
Eulaliopsis binata is a perennial grass found from the Himalayan foothills across South and Southeast Asia. Its long, wiry leaves are strong and flexible. That makes them useful for rope-making, for paper pulp and for handicrafts. In India the grass is also known by regional names such as bhabar.
In Mayurbhanj, sabai is grown as a crop. OrissaPOST reported in 2021 that it was cultivated on about 22,758 hectares in the district. The report named growing areas including Baripada, Morada, Suliapada, Kuliana, Betanati and Kaptipada. It also said a planting stays productive for about 10 to 12 years.
How is sabai grass craft made?
Methods vary between makers and products, but the work generally follows these stages:
- Harvesting and drying. The grass is cut and dried in the sun.
- Preparing fibre. Dried leaves are cleaned and sorted. They may be dyed for coloured designs.
- Rope or coil making. The grass is twisted into fine ropes or bundled into coils. Rope-making is also a separate livelihood in the region.
- Coiling and stitching. For baskets, trays and boxes, a coil of grass is wound in a spiral and stitched together, building up the shape round by round.
- Weaving and finishing. Mats, bags and panels are woven or braided. Handles, linings and fastenings are added for modern products.
Products and designs
The craft has moved from simple household items to a wide range of products:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Household | Baskets, storage boxes, fruit trays, bread baskets, mats |
| Table and kitchen | Coasters, table mats, hot-pot holders |
| Fashion | Handbags, clutches, earrings, necklaces, bangles |
| Décor | Wall hangings, lampshades, planters, mirror frames |
| Furniture | Stools, chairs and light furniture |
The 2021 OrissaPOST report said women craftspeople in Mayurbhanj were making more than 1,000 different products. These were sold at district selling centres, in towns such as Baripada and Rairangpur, in Bhubaneswar, and on e-commerce platforms. The same report put the district's annual sabai business at around Rs 300 crore. That figure was reported in 2021 and may have changed since.
GI status
Sabai grass craft does not currently hold a Geographical Indication. In 2021 OrissaPOST reported that the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology had applied to the GI Registry in Chennai to protect Mayurbhanj's sabai craft. However, no sabai grass entry appears among Odisha's registered GIs in the Registry's state-wise list dated 31 December 2025.
See the full list of GI tags of Odisha.
Artisan communities
Sabai craft in Mayurbhanj is overwhelmingly a women's craft. Much of the work is done at home between farm and household duties. Self-help groups and producer collectives handle training, bulk orders and marketing. The craft is also closely tied to the district's tribal and rural communities, for whom sabai cultivation and rope-making have long been part of the farming year.
Visitors to northern Odisha, for example on the way to Simlipal National Park, can often find sabai products in shops in Baripada.
How to buy authentic sabai grass products
- Check the material. Real sabai is a fine, slightly glossy natural grass that is firm but flexible. Plastic "grass" imitations look too even and feel slick.
- Look at the stitching. Coiled pieces should be tightly and evenly stitched, with no loose ends on the surface.
- Ask who made it. Since there is no GI label, ask whether the piece comes from a Mayurbhanj self-help group or cooperative.
- Buy from official outlets. Utkalika, the Odisha State Co-operative Handicraft Corporation (utkalikaodisha.com), lists sabai grass craft among its handicraft categories. District and state craft fairs also host producer groups directly.
Odiapedia also has a selection of curated authentic Odisha products.