Government launches project to promote tribal designs

DIMAPUR — With the growing popularity of Naga attires, apparels and other accessories across the globe, the department of Women Resource Development has launched a project named ‘Protection and promotion of tribal designs.’

The project was launched during a consultative meeting, organised by the department of Women Resource Development, held at Hotel De Oriental Grand in Kohima on Friday with the representatives of 17 apex tribal women organisations.

The project was launched due to inherent hurdle that has persistently prevented the indigenous people from gaining much out of the new found popularity.

The project was aimed at promoting of both traditional attires woven through the traditional way as a premium product as well as contemporary design wears made through the use of handlooms, particularly the fly-shuttle loom.

Speaking at the meeting, the minister for Women Resource Development and Horticulture, Salhoutuonuo Kruse, emphasised the need to promote and protect Naga tribal designs. She stated that Naga tribal designs are more than just patterns as they are the ‘embodiment of centuries of our tradition, knowledge and identity, which are carriers of stories and beliefs connected to our ancestry.’

While viewing that the fast paced globalisation and commercialisation today has the propensity to dilute the authenticity and meaning of the intrinsic tribal designs, she stated that it was important to work together to protect not only the tribal designs but on 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 artisans are supported and also create a sustainable system for both promotion and protection of our heritage,” Kruse said.

She has sought the support of all the women organisations in Nagaland to sustain the tribal designs in order to protect their identity and cultural diversities.

Meanwhile, it was informed that the department of Women Resource Development would focus on the development and promotion of tribal designs and work in close coordination with the Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation (NHHDC), which is already in the process of collection, selection and finalisation of tribal designs for protection and patenting.

Under the programme, the department has proposed to cover 85 beneficiaries covering the entire districts of Nagaland on pilot basis during 2024-25. It informed that 5 beneficiaries each from all the 17 major tribes would be identified accordingly.

Besides, trainings are proposed to be conducted in line with the various existing guidelines under the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, to enable the eligible beneficiaries avail the opportunities.

As part of the pilot project, the department has decided 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.

It mentioned that the department would 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.

The introductory note was delivered by Kavito, additional director of Horticulture, while Zhotisa Dawhuo, commissioner and secretary, and Nzanthung K Yanthan, assistant director, also delivered short speeches.