Zumuli Rhakho receiving the ‘Weavers Lifetime Achievement Award’ during the 8th Naga Loinloom Festival at Deziephe village on December 8. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Deziephe | December 8
Indigenous Naga loinloom weaving has been described as a ‘dying art’ for the last few decades. But it is in the hands of the weavers and artisans to decide how to take the loom forward.
This sentiment was expressed on the final day of the 8th Naga Loinloom Festival organised by the Exotic Echo Society (EES) at Deziephe village, on Thursday.
The Festival, which was held as the ‘International Loinloom Festival’ was renamed for the eighth edition with the realisation that, ‘We need to strengthen the root first,’ informed EES Secretary, Vitono Gugu Haralu.
Accordingly, two weavers were conferred awards for their contribution towards the craft of Indigenous Naga loinloom weaving.
Zumuli Rhakho received the ‘Weavers Lifetime Achievement Award,’ to acknowledge and celebrate her life and the decades of experience and contribution in keeping traditional knowledge and wisdom through the weaves. At 68, Rhakho is the oldest among the weavers of Exotic Echo Society in Deziephe.
The ‘Weavers Young Entrepreneur Award’ was conferred to Mhathiyilü Tetseo for “being a guiding light as a senior and mentor to the weavers community.”
The award citations were handed to the weavers by Vice Chancellor of the North East Christian University, Prof Darlando Khathing.
In the spirit of strengthening the roots, Haralu informed that initiatives are being made to hold the next edition of the festival at Yoruba village in Phek district.
“The weavers of Yoruba are probably one of the last few who are actually sustaining the craft from farm to fabric’, growing, ginning, spinning and weaving their own indigenous cotton,” she said, terming the Yoruba weavers as the actual ‘custodians of culture.’
The activities for the day included art sessions for the weavers with artists from The Wandering Minds. Rini Ghose from Serendip Guardians also held a session with the weavers, speaking to them about the importance of mental health and self-care.
During the concluding session, Chief Executive of Pinnacle Skills, Dr Yan Murry also exhorted the weavers.
Briefly explaining the purpose of Pinnacle Skills, he said that, while weaving is a dying craft, ‘it is in your (weavers) hands, how to take it forward.’ As such, he encouraged them to think about how they want to sustain the craft and come forward if there is anything that he can help them with.
On the occasion, Dr Murry along with Rini Ghose also handed out participation certificates to all the weavers and participants.
The two-day Festival witnessed the participation of weavers from Yoruba, Deziephe and neighbouring areas, along with guests from various parts of the country, and officials including WEAFED managing director Gwaruno Khing and Director (East Zone) Weavers’ Service Centre Guwahati, S Bandyopadhyay, among others.
It was held with the support of the Tourism Department, Art & Culture Department and the Department of Industries & Commerce.
