A weaver showcases her skill during the 8th International Loinloom Festival at the Weaver’s Place, Diezephe Handicrafts village, Chümoukedima on December 7. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Diezephe | December 7
Conversations on the opening day of the 8th International Loinloom Festival centered on redefining the festival in a weaver-centric, organic and intimate affair.
An initiative of the Exotic Echo Society, the festival began in 2014 and is being held annually at the Weaver’s Place, Diezephe Handicrafts village, Chümoukedima.
Creating a safe place to dialogue with the weavers, Vitono Gugu Haralu, spokesperson and secretary of Exotic Echo Society said that the festival this year is about appreciating the art, and acknowledging “our weavers as the guardians and letting them know their worth.”
Stressing on the need for weavers to find their voices, Haralu said that the two-day event has been planned and managed by the weavers alone this time. The festival also promotes eco-tourism and hence the attempt to make the event minimal and authentic, she said.
Senior Tourist Officer Dimapur, Kakishe K Zhimo while appreciating the ingenuity of the weavers’ community encouraged them to not just focus on livelihood, but on tourism as well. With the Government of India focusing on the potential of the tourism department, Zhimo addressed the weavers that, “in a small way, you make a very big difference, and we are all stakeholders here.”
Also highlighting the importance of carrying forward one’s culture and tradition, he said that the weavers play a huge role in storytelling through their weaving. While there are challenges in terms of pricing their intricately woven products, with consumers searching for cheaper options, Zhimo however, maintained that the tables have turned and the market is now seeking originality. Toward this, he called upon the weavers not to give up, as in the end they would be the champions.
“What are we offering to the tourists?” Zhimo also asked the community, urging them to ponder on it and to keep ‘our homes and village pristine and clean’ so that they (tourists) can get a taste of the perfect rural lifestyle of the Nagas.
The dialogue also centered on whether the tagged ‘handicrafts village’ is meeting the needs of the market. With the Society on the verge of giving up due to no stakeholders, Haralu spoke on the need for the concerned department who is partnering with the Society to step in. She also pondered, “Are we consciously letting it die? Where are the gaps that are happening? We need to listen to the weavers and acknowledge them, nobody talks about the weavers.”
Tourist Officer Dimapur Keholeno Kennao also queried on the concerns of the weavers and the possible help that the department can offer. Exotic Echo as a producer – from farm to fabric has now more than 200 registered members comprising of a whole ecosystem of growers, spinners, dyers, weavers and finishers.
S Bandyopadhyay, Director (East Zone) Weavers’ Service Centre Guwahati, Office of Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India acknowledged the beautiful village and the weavers’ community in keeping the art alive.
The weavers also witnessed a demonstration of the flying shuttle loom brought in from the Weavers’ Service Centre Toluvi village, Dimapur under the Ministry of Textiles. Bandyopadhyay said that this idea is being incorporated in order to bring in more efficiency in the process of weaving and also, so that “we can learn from one another.” Both the men and women can efficiently use the shuttle loom. He also assured on the possibility of skill upgradation of loinloom weaving and also highlighted on the available schemes from the Centre.
On the sidelines of the event, Haralu said that through this, “We need to also bring out the business model, on how to sustain, being innovative and think outside the box, without losing the essence of why we are doing what we are doing.” She has been associated with the Society for six years as a volunteer during the time of late Sonnie Kath, founder of Exotic Echo Society.
As a facilitator, Haralu is making an effort to redefine loinloom in the Naga society by helping the weavers’ community find their own voice. She recalls asking her friend late Sonnie Kath why was she doing all these things when nobody is interested. To this, Kath reportedly answered, ‘The day will come when you will know;’ and I know now, why she did what she did then.”
