Allahabad whose communities’ existence is in close conjunction with semi forested scrublands.

Here most of these women spend their days in the extensive task of child rearing, and taking care of large families. The younger ones help their mothers or mothers-in-law around the house. Some are involved in small jobs to supplement the family economy by making moonj products.

Moonj (Saccharum spontaneum) is a wild monsoon grass that grows profusely in scrublands of Allahabad, mainly in the months of September and October around the time of Navratri. It’s a tall, graceful and wiry grass, that when picked, cleaned, and sun dried to perfection, yields a fibrous coir that’s perfect for weaving baskets, coasters, picnic hampers, and other delightful knick knacks. It also happens to hold color really well, making way for vibrantly hued cheerful utility products, adorned with well-ordered geometric patterns.