In the lush tropical jungles of the Northeast, the basic resource of the people is bamboo and cane. From these simple materials a sophisticated technology has evolved – to build bridges high over raging torrents, to construct durable houses, to make innumerable aids for everyday living. In the hilly areas, houses are propped up on bamboo stilts. Sliding doors and windows, fully exploiting the properties of bamboo, are of matting, imparting the quality of woven architecture.

The numerous tribes of the Northeast have their own distinctive building techniques. Thus the Adi Gallongs construct suspension bridges (above), often more than 200 metres long, made up of a series of cane hoops.
The numerous tribes of the Northeast have their own distinctive building techniques. Thus the Adi Gallongs construct suspension bridges (above), often more than 200 metres long, made up of a series of cane hoops.
Typical hill house is built on stilts. Bamboo is used with great ingenuity – single notched pole serves as a ladder.
Typical hill house is built on stilts. Bamboo is used with great ingenuity – single notched pole serves as a ladder.