Kanger: “One of the world’s most unique tradition”

Cultures in every part of world are determined by geography and the climatic conditions of that region. It is these culturally important things, which are peculiar and unique to every geographical area that give identity to the nations or ethnicities of the world. “Kashmiri Kangir” is one of the cultural assets which has given identity and ethnicity to Kashmir. This ancient portable heat source is a fascination for others but necessity for a common Kashmiri. In Kashmir’s heritage and culture, the Kangri occupies a prominent place. The name Kanger is derived from a Sanskrit word, ‘Kasthangari’ (word Kash means wood, Anjarika-fire embers). Not much is known about how it came to Kashmir, although the historians have suggested that the Kashmiris learnt the use of Kanger from Italians during the Mughal rule from 1526 to 1757, who usually visited the valley during summer months. Others believe that the companions of King Akbar introduced Kangri to the locals during his conquest of Kashmir in the early era of Sultan Yousuf Shah Chak. It has been here in Kashmir since early times and scholars who believe that the first kanger was the handiwork of the “Hanjis” (boatmen). They are of the opinion that having been living on water exposed to the elements and enabled to warm themselves by a fire because of there boats be in wooden, the “Hnajis” had to make an arrangement which could keep them warm without damaging their boats.There is archival evidence of Kangri use even earlier than 1526. A profound relation between Kashmiri and Kangri was noted by Revered Saint Sufi, Sheik Noor-u-din Wali who lived from 1377-1440. Among his most prized possessions was his own Charari Kangri, included in the possessions with which he was entombed. The use of Kangris is part of everyday Kashmiri life, which is essential to important ceremonies celebrating the culture of Kashmir. During this time, Kashmiris in many areas of the valley learned the technique of Kangri weaving and chose it as their major source of income, resulting in the flourishing of the craft in Kashmir . Kangir – A traditional earthen pot woven around with wicker filled with hot embers of Kashmir, is a unique cultural asset of the people of the valley used to beat away the freezing temperature in winters lasting usually for more than five months. It attains more significance over other modern or ancient heating appliances for being mobile, portable, affordable and durable. It is a common site in entire Kashmir valley, especially in rural areas to find people irrespective of their age, gender, economic status, moving through the streets with fire in their lap in the form of Kangir. To stave of the cold, there is no alternative to Kangir as the raw material used in its production and artisans are readily available in abundance as against other resources like electricity and LPG heaters which remains almost unavailable during the winter season. It is normally kept inside the Pheran, a tradational upper cloth or inside a blanket. It is mostly used in the cold nights of winter. It is about 6 inches (150 mm) in diameter and reaches a temperature of about 150 °F (66 °C). It comes in different variants, small ones for children and large ones for adults. Among the world’s most unique traditions, which are still in vogue as much as they were on the day of their first use, is the Kashmiri Kangir. Kangir is culturally specific to Kashmiris who have been using it since ages. In simple language we can say a common Kashmiri is incomplete without Kangir especially during the chilling months of winter. It has been an integral part of Kashmiri people culturally as well as socially. Besides being a utility, it is an ornament to a common Kashmiri. We can relate Kangir of a common Kashmiri to the cultural or folkloric way of fighting cold. Maharaja Pratap Singh (1885-1925) is believed to be the architect of modern wicker art. It was he who established the first ever wicker craft training center in Srinagar in 1914 with Mr. Andrew as its first principal who belonged to England. Mr. Andrew introduced, for the first time, the English Salix in Srinagar. He planted the English Salix trees around Bagh-e-Ali Mardan Khan marshes. Such dwarf trees exclusively yielded the Salix wicker (Vir Kani). This training center imparted wicker weaving training to many local craftsman which were called ‘Shakhsaaz’. The fuel for the Kangir, usually charcoal, is locally prepared by the people in rural areas and is supplied on relatively cheaper rates to the urban population. There are so many forms of coal available in the market for its use in Kangir. The user, according to the requirement chooses the quality of coal (the forms vary in size, weight, hardness etc. which directly effects its heating property) and purchases it in bulk so as to store it for the longer period of precipitation and cold. It is a common site in Kashmir that elderly ladies loading the Kondals of Kangiris with charcoal early at the dawn and burning its upper layer by hot burnt ash, burning cardboard, saw dust or simply the burnt straw. The fully exhausted coal, turned into ash after discarding it is still not a waste product. It is used in kitchen gardens to cover the top soil to make it soft so that the seeds germinate efficiently and the seed viability is increased. It also increases the soil fertility and the essential nutrients of soil are continuously replenished preventing the soil nutrient deficiency for its constant use.
The Kangir is essentially made up two parts viz. earthen oval pot and the wicker case. Both these parts have local origin and are not imported from elsewhere. The wicker case with 2 arms and a wide base is made out of different type of soft twigs generally obtained from the shrubs growing in the wild in the countryside distributed almost althrough the valley. These soft twigs are called ‘Kani/Kane’ in the native language. The wicker encasing upon the ‘Kondal’ makes a complete Kangir which is the domain of wicker craftsman. Since the basic structure of the Kangir is same everywhere in Kashmir but slight to large variations are witnessed in the makeup of Kangir at different places. Apart from spatial variations there are certain other variants of Kangir which the artisans make keeping the social and economic status and the tastes of the buyer in mind. Some well-known variants of Kangir on the basis of spatial variations are: Bandpur Kangir, Chrar Kangir, Trale Kangir, Herpur Kangir, Zeingir Kangir. Variants of Kangir on the basis of its structural ornamentations include: Dabedar Kangir, Dooredar Kangir, Pachhdar Kangir, Zaeildar Kangir, Cheshedar Kangir, Mahrin Kangir, Wudd/Isband Kangir,Shishar Kangir, Tapan Kangir, Dali Kangir, Roinni Kangir. On the basis of types wicker twigs used, the Kangir can be identified as: Posh Kangir, Linn Kangir, Kzetch Kangir, Vir Kangir, Mannen (without wicker encasement) . With the betterment in the general economic condition of the masses owing to various governmental and non-governmental schemes, the artisans too have been able to upgrade their conditions as the affordability of the common consumers according to their tastes has exponentially increased. Some families have sustained their livelihood since decades solely on the wicker art by getting the raw materials themselves and then processing it and manufacturing the product on their own. They have turned the confined art into an industry and have made it an economic venture with very little investment. Such artisans have been able to change their economic status by getting better marketing facilities in urban areas which was otherwise confined to the rural habitations only. Apart from its prime usage, Kangir has a unique cultural and religious importance too. In Kashmir varied faiths of people live together in harmony for having certain common cultural and religious practices wherein the use of Kangir is indispensable. Being one of the important cultural assets, Kangir has attained a high sanctity in most of the cultural festivals celebrated by the people of all faiths. Muslims also use ‘Vudhe Kangir’ at various occasions like marriage, circumcision, ear piercing of girls etc. Vudhe is burnt at the time of buying cloths for the bride or the groom, at the occasion of starting the ‘Chula’ for preparing the dishes for the wedding ceremony. Burning of Isband in Kangir is also practiced by the people of other religions. Non muslims too follow the same tradition on marriages and cultural ceremonies in Kashmir. The use of Isband is also practiced by the people to eradicate the so called evil from the household. It is believed that the evil spirits invading one’s body are swayed away by the aroma of Isband burnt in a Kangir. Such practice is wide spread in the valley. ‘Mahrin Kangir’, highly ornamented Kangir with pendant rings is given to the bride at the time of her departure from her to the groom’s house as the symbol of care, affection and love. This Kangir is a highly decorated Kangir and generally kept as a memorial for a long period of time. Mahrin Kangir is an expensive Kangir which is prepared only by the expert artisans which needs artistic expertise and great experience. It is not usually available in the market and is ordered months before its actual use. Kashmiri Pandits celebrate a festival having both religious and cultural importance known as ‘Shishur’ (the grand invitation to the relatives and friends on Shishur-maas of the first year of the new bride or any new-born in a family). On this occasion a well decorated, colorful Kangir, without coal, having empty Kondal, is kept in front of the bride or the new born in which the invitees are supposed to put money according to their will as a token of love and blessings to the bride in particular and the whole family in general.
Medical And Accidental Issues: Most of the people in Kashmir better know the perfect use of Kangir and the time duration for using it. Yet there are certain medical complications known, caused by the excessive use or imperfect use of Kangir in many people. There is a tolerance limit of skin for the temperature and the direct heat radiations beyond which the skin begins to react unusually giving rise to medical complications including allergies, burns, scars, tanning or some other serious issues, damaging the inner layers of the skin and sometimes leading to skin cancer also known as ‘Kangir Cancer’. Some more medical complications do result, when low quality of coal is used in the Kangir, emitting harmful fumes. Such fumes are directly inhaled by the user causing bronchial disorders and at times asthma or bronchitis. Kangir related accidents like the local fights, heated arguments and scuffles, at times, result in throwing the loaded Kangir upon one another causing severe burn injuries especially on one’s head. Such incidents may cause face injuries, face burns and even complete blindness. At times, these injuries can prove fatal. Excessive and callous use of Kangir has proven dangerous and has caused many accidents, burning the bedding and clothes etc. Such incidents can have huge destructive impacts upon the life and property of the people and even fires damaging properties.
Concerns: The eco-friendly kangri is a symbol of traditional craftsmanship, and is culturally and socially integral to the Kashmiri people. But artisans are shifting to other occupations, often preferring casual work that pays better. They have also become reluctant to pass on their skills, which are increasingly associated with poverty and a low social status. Kangri and the making thereof has experienced great change. The Kashmiri artisan base has shrunk from hundreds to a few families in the past three decades and artisans are living in despair. Making firepots is considered a traditional profession and artisans say this craft makes them outcasts, which discourages younger generations from joining the family occupation.
(Author frequently writes for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon” . The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are author’s own and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon.)

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