Nagaland: ‘Protection and promotion of tribal designs’ project

October 5, 2024 4 Views No Comment

Kohima, October 5 (MExN): The Department of Women Resource Development held a consultative meeting with the apex tribal women organisations of Nagaland at the conference hall, Hotel De Oriental Grand, Kohima on October 4.

The meeting was called for ‘protection and promotion of tribal designs’ project 2024-25 wherein women representatives from all the 17 tribes of the state attended the meeting.

While demand for Naga attires, apparels and other accessories has greatly risen, there is an inherent hurdle that has persistently prevented the indigenous people from gaining much out of this new found popularity, stated a press release received here.

As such, to give a boost in this endeavour, a project named ‘Protection and Promotion of Tribal Designs’ is being initiated by the Department of Women Resource Development during 2024-25. “This project aims at promotion of both traditional attires woven through the traditional way as a premium product, as well as for contemporary design wears made through the use of handlooms, particularly the fly-shuttle loom,” it added.

Speaking at the meeting, Minister for Women Resource Development & Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse emphasised on the need to promote and protect Naga tribal designs.

Kruse said, “Naga tribal designs are more than just patterns; they are the embodiment of centuries of our tradition, knowledge and identity which are carriers of stories and beliefs connected to our ancestry.”

She viewed that the fast paced globalisation and commercialisation today, has the propensity to dilute the authenticity and meaning of our intrinsic tribal designs, and it is important that we work together to protect not only our tribal designs but also food habits, values, textiles etc.

Women, as the heart of the family and nation must take the lead for the promotion and protection of our tradition and rich cultural heritage to ensure that our younger generations can continue to practice. By encouraging our own weavers and artisans and buying from them, we can help ensure that indigenous artists are support and also create a sustainable system for both promotion and protection of our heritage, Kruse maintained.

With the support of all the women organisations in our state, we must ensure that our tribal designs continue to thrive as our identity and cultural diversity for our future generations as well, said the Minister.

Meanwhile, under this project, the Department of Women Resource Development will focus on the Development and Promotion of Tribal Designs and will work in close coordination with the Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation, who are already in the process of collection, selection, and finalisation of tribal designs for protection and patenting.

Under this programme during 2024-25, as a pilot phase, the Department proposes to cover 85 beneficiaries, covering the entire Districts of Nagaland. Five beneficiaries each from all the 17 major tribes are proposed to be identified accordingly. Trainings are proposed to be conducted in line with the various existing guidelines under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to enable the beneficiaries eligible for various benefits.

Also, as part of the pilot phase for development of marketing platform and buy back system, the department intends to organise and launch the first edition of the ‘Exhibition on Naga tribal designs’ during the 25th year celebration of the Hornbill Festival 2024 at Kisama Village, coinciding with the department’s event the Myki Fest 2024.

The department will bring together all indigenous textile designs and showcase each tribes unique motifs and designs, colours and patterns, attributing to their rich cultural identity with different traditional values, meaning and significances.

During the meeting, the introductory note was given by Kavito, Additional Director while Zhotisa Dawhuo, Commissioner & Secretary address the gathering and Nzanthung K Yanthan, Assistant Director gave a presentation on promotion of tribal designs.