The Economic Times

No plastic or metal, only bamboo and palm leaves: Meghalayas 100-year-old umbrellas do not have a handle but can protect you from heavy rains

Meghalaya, India's wettest region, faces heavy monsoon rains. Locals have a unique solution: knups, hand-crafted rain shields made from bamboo and palm leaves. These sustainable, handle-less shields cover the body, leaving hands free. They are woven and layered for waterproofing. The clever design protects from rain and sun. A smaller version, knup rit, is also used.