Natural dye yielding plants and indigenous knowledge of dyeing in Manipur, Northeast India.

Abstract

The people of Manipur, which lies under the Indo-Burmese region, have been using indigenous dyestuffs from plants since time immemorial, in handicrafts, handlooms, fine arts, etc. There are more than 50 plants species in Manipur, which are used as dyes right from ancient times, before chemical dyes were introduced in the state. Strobilanthus flaccidifolius is one such plants being traditionally used by the people of the state for preparing dye. Many tribes and Meitei community of Manipur have been using species like Parkia javanica, Melastoma malabathricum, Pasania pachyphylla, Solanum incidum, Bixa orellana, Tectona grandis, etc. The Maring tribes still uses the fruit of Melastoma malabathricum for staining teeth in dark blackish red; it strengthens the teeth and protects from gum diseases and cavities. These plants are used traditionally in combination with other plants for extraction and preparation of dyes utilizing indigenous processes. The compounds isolated from these dye yielding plants and the indigenous knowledge on dye preparation in Manipur is reported.