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MOKOKCHUNG — The School of Culture, an initiation of Watsü Mungdang, successfully conducted a two-day pottery and bamboo craft workshop on September 22 and 23 at Women Resource Centre in Marepkong ward, near ITI Mokokchung.
The workshop was aimed at imparting the art of craftsmanship to the youth with focus on the intangible cultural heritage embodied in pottery and bamboo craft. The traditional crafts are not just art forms but part of the ethos, customs and the evolution of existence.
Besides, it also contributes to preserving cultural heritage, empowering the younger generation and contributing to local tourism development.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Speaking at the inaugural programme, Arenla Longkumer, president of Watsü Mungdang, underscored the importance of preserving cultural heritage and traditional crafts. She asserted that crafts play a crucial role in reflecting the culture and traditions of a civilisation and the region it belongs to.
She expressed hope that the knowledge acquired during such workshops would not only become a source of livelihood but also a skill passed down to future generations.
Dr. Adangla Changkija, convenor of Watsü Mungdang’s School of Culture, explained the connection between indigenous crafts and the development of tourism. She opined that tourists often seek experiences related to local cuisines prepared in traditional pots and seek to purchase authentically crafted items.
In this connection, she said workshops of such nature are instrumental in promoting rural tourism and would enable individuals to achieve self-sustainability.
Altogether, 14 individuals including 12 for pottery making and 2 for bamboo crafts participated in the workshop. Guru S Pangyang Ozukum shared the intricacies of bamboo craft, while women from Changki village demonstrated the delicate art of pottery.
As part of its broader commitment to preserve cultural heritage, Watsü Mungdang also announced that it would organise certification courses in order to provide the youth with knowledge as well as providing them with the ability to self-sustain themselves.