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Weaving bonds: How Kedovito and family keep an age-old craft alive
For Kedovito, the process of weaving closely mirrors life itself…
DIMAPUR — For Kedovito Tho-u, aged twenty-five, life revolves around the art of weaving. Whether using threads, bamboo or cane, the weaving tradition has coursed through his family’s heritage for generations.
Daily, he joins his parents and siblings, each taking on a specific role, to create textiles and baskets, contributing to the family’s livelihood.
An ideal day involves weaving alongside his father and two brothers, whether at home or in the morung in his native Khonoma village. “We sit and weave together for eight to nine hours daily,” he told Eastern Mirror.
An early start
Kedovito’s interest in weaving began during high school. He learned the craft by sitting with his father and uncles after school. Over time, he joined them in weaving, and the routine continued through his higher secondary education. While initially weaving after classes to support his family’s finances, he decided to pursue weaving full-time after completing Class 12.
Reflecting on those years, Kedovito explained, “I come from a family of two younger brothers and a younger sister, and my father was the sole provider. Some income also came from my mother, who sold vegetables and shawls she had woven. Therefore, after completing my Class 12, I chose to dedicate myself to weaving full-time to assist my parents.”
He continued, “I am the third generation in my family to weave baskets. My father learned it from his father, and similarly, my brothers and I learned it from our father. I believe that such skills are passed down from father to son with the aim of preserving our cherished tradition.”
A family that weaves together…
Kedovito highlighted that weaving has strengthened bonds within his family. “Through weaving, we get to interact more with our parents, and at the same time, there is a sense of open-mindedness to share grievances and problems,” he added.
When asked about working alongside his father, he shared, “It’s consistently enjoyable. Although my dad can be quite strict on occasions, he often lightens the atmosphere with humour and takes a lighthearted approach to imparting his trade knowledge, making it more accessible for everyone. In specific projects, he does emphasize the importance of diligence and commitment, which is when his stricter side emerges.”
Kedovito’s mother chimed in, adding that weaving goes beyond being just a skill; it instils a sense of responsibility, and the earlier one learns, the more one benefits.
In the weaving process, each family member plays a vital role. Kedovito explained, “For smaller projects, we independently manage each step, crafting a basket from start to finish. However, when we have multiple pending orders, my brothers and I assist in preparing, smoothing, and refining the cane, while our father focuses on the weaving itself.”
He continued, “My mother and sisters engage in weaving shawls and mekhalas due to customer demands. My youngest sister, who is 21 years old, is currently learning the craft under my mother’s guidance.”
Life lessons from weaving
For Kedovito, the process of weaving closely mirrors life itself. Elaborating on the life lessons and values that guide his daily life, he explained, “It takes days of patience, concentration, and the grit not to give up and complete a basket no matter how tired or lazy you feel, and to redo if there are any mistakes to make it look beautiful and flawless.”
“Likewise in life, we must cultivate patience in whatever we do, learn to take criticism, and learn to correct our wrongs.”
Challenges in the weaving industry
According to Kedovito, his family encounters significant hurdles in the weaving industry due to rising demand and a dwindling workforce. “We have had individuals approach us, showing an interest in our services, but the demand often surpasses our available labour, making it challenging to fulfil all requests,” he went on to explain.
In terms of raw materials, they acquire the larger weaving canes from Dzüleke village, and the smaller canes are obtained from Peren district. When it comes to the larger canes, they encounter challenges as they need to explore the jungles, where they contend with insects, leeches, and snails in their quest to find the best canes for crafting baskets.
Kedovito acknowledged, “When it comes to weaving intricate cane baskets which cost more than INR 20,000, I believe I am still yet to learn the craft to weave it as well as my father because such baskets take years of skill and practice that require utmost patience.”
The decline of weaving and hope within
“Once I transitioned to pursuing this full-time, I began to observe a gradual decline in the prevalence of this profession,” Kedo shared about the decline of weaving in his village.
He wishes to teach the craft not just within the realms of his family but to anyone who is interested. Kedo says this with the hope that this tradition of weaving will ‘not be lost.’
“At most, there may only be seven or eight families left who practice weaving in my village. So, given the opportunity, I always try to teach anyone who is willing to learn the craft,” Kedo said.
Kedo believes that the trade is gradually declining due to the general perception that pursuing a career in weaving lacks the potential for success and that the scope of weaving is limited. Additionally, the prevailing preference for government-centric jobs in Nagaland discourages individuals from considering weaving as a possible career.
“No job is too big or too small as long as it’s honest, and you love what you are doing. Joining a family business can be hard at times, but family is such that there is freedom of expression and better understanding,” says Kedo, offering advice to other young individuals who would like to venture into the same path as his.
Kedo shares, “Whenever outsiders approach us to purchase our products or witness our craft in action, we’ve consistently received positive feedback as this craft is becoming increasingly rare, making it all the more intriguing to those who encounter it.”
Kedo’s father lamented, “Today, many young people want to find easier ways to do things, but in weaving, there are no shortcuts. It teaches one to be committed to their work from start to finish. I worry that this craft is fading away. We should teach it to young people to keep our diverse cultures and traditions alive, as each tribe has its special way of doing things.”