Wadu ni Gonthai
This particular type of 'Gonthai' is 'Wahdu ni gonthai' which is basically made of thread and bamboo. To make this type of 'Gonthai' two pieces of bamboos of the same size are required, which is tied in a vertical way with thread and another bunch of colorful thread is added in it horizontally, according to the requirement of a design. This combination of colorful threads represents the variations in 'Rikhu'. A weaver can easily create several designs in a same ' wah ni gonthai' as each time a different color of thread is used for creating design by the weavers so that the weavers doesn't get confused while they make 'Rikhu' in Daophang.
Weaving and spinning is an age old traditional practice among the Dimasa womenfolk which is still prevalent in Dimasa society. Most of their traditional attire are created in their traditional loom which is 'Daophang'. The 'Daophang' has many specific parts and the process of weaving in 'Daaophang' requires many steps, creating design (Rikhu) in 'Gonthai' is an essential step of weaving, it is a traditional tool or instrument for creating and experimenting designs before being woven in the clothes. 'Gonthai' plays a very vital role in making of 'Rikhu' (Design part of the Dimasa clothes ). There are several type of 'Gonthai' in Dimasa handloom, but this particular type of 'Gonthai' which is made of bamboo and thread is hardly in use now a days as the Dimasa womenfolk of present generation prefer to create designs in graph paper because it is easy for them to handle it. According to the informant Kunja Rani Barman this particular 'Wah ni goanthai' would be around 100 years old and belongs to her grandmother.
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