Weaving & warping workshop empowers children to preserve cultural identity

October 25, 2023 15 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): in an effort to help children connect with their cultural heritage and maintain a sense of identity, a weaving and warping workshop was held at Diezephe village under Dhansiripar subdivision on October 23.

The workshop was organized by Exotic Echo Society with the Children Weavers Club. Nineteen (19) participants in the age group of 7 years and above, accompanied by 6 master weavers took part in the workshop which comprised of warping and weaving competition, good touch and bad touch (body sensitivity), games, bracelet making and potluck.

This initiative began in 2022 with the intention to keep the dying art of traditional weaving relevant and positive by imparting the practice to the children who showed interest to learn and engage, Vitono Haralu (Gugu), social activist and secretary, Exotic Echo Society stated in a press release.

Children learning weaving and warping at a workshop organized by Exotic Echo Society at Diezephe village under Dhansiripar subdivision on October 23.

Traditional backstrap or loin loom weaving is decreasing rapidly amongst the indigenous Naga women due to many alternative occupations that have emerged over the years. One of the challenges, among many, is the lack of appreciation for the art form. The need to pay more attention and care in the process of weaving is a dire need or the art will find its own end, Haralu stated.
With these concerns in mind, Exotic Echo had taken up the challenge of engaging children with the vision that someday they will remember and say, they knew something of the past and their people,” she pointed out.

With the Naga society experiencing enormous challenges, it is becoming necessary to step up in order to keep up with our new generation of children to keep them rooted and grounded of their identity and history, so that they can decide what is best for their future, it said.

The workshop not only teaches the children on the process of weaving but they also learns the art of communication, sharing resources, peer groups, body positivity and mental health. A master weaver also learns to share her knowledge and skill while teaching a child how to weave and communicate in a language that helps in understanding and share the time of bonding.

This initiative is an old practice that was once done through the traditional practice under The Morung – The Life skills ecosystem for children of all age groups.

At the competition, Mhashevelü Hoshi received the first prize in warping, and runners up went to Tsükulü Nyekha. In weaving, Küveselü was awarded the first prize and Chitalü as runners up. The best disciplined participant went to Veritolü Lohe.