Meraki: Uniquely crafted products from Nagaland

Some of the Meraki products, an initiative of Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, which can be ordered online. (Photo Courtesy: NHHDC)

Some of the Meraki products, an initiative of Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, which can be ordered online. (Photo Courtesy: NHHDC)

Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 18

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to restrict commercial and economic activities, an undertaking of Government of Nagaland has found a novel way to market its products to once again show that ‘where there’s a will, there’s a way.’

‘Meraki’, a brand specialized in ‘woods and weaves’ is picking pace towards becoming a household name since its online launch on November 23 last.

An initiative of the Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (NHHDC Ltd.), Meraki has a wide range of handicraft products to offer including bowls, spoons and ladles, chopping boards and platters, toys, mobile sling bags, pouches, fridge magnets and vintage decors.

The range of Meraki products can be viewed on ‘meraki_nagaland’ on Instagram or Facebook.

Managing director, NHHDC, Zakabo V Rotokha, told The Morung Express that since the online launch, meraki_nagaland has received a generous amount of orders both from within the state and outside.

The managing director said delivery service for online purchase of Meraki products have been made available in all Indian states and metros.

However, in Nagaland at present due to connectivity and delivery system issues, online delivery service is limited to Kohima, Dimapur and Mokokchung districts only, Rotokha said.

He said the handicraft products with Naga traditional motifs and Christmas-themed toys and decorative pieces are currently much in demand.

“All products are 100 percent handcrafted”, the MD said and added each and every piece (especially wooden and bamboo sculptures) is unique with hardly any room for duplication as they are crafted accordingly to the individual shape, size and counters of the roots and stumps of trees or bamboo.

The various products listed in Meraki Instagram and FB accounts are results of time and tireless efforts spent to make the unique handcrafted products.

In the case of some handicraft items, Rotokha said there is a gap in demand and supply due to limited number of craftsmen working in NHHDC workshop.

Meraki’s wooden toys and puzzle board for children might be of interest to those running playschools and Montessori schools. “The wooden puzzle can keep your child occupied in a creative way. Also the wooden toys are eco-friendly unlike plastic and ages beautifully with time,” said an NHHDC official.

For a change in festive decoration this year, one may also browse and order Meraki’s rustic vintage decors and refreshing Christmas gnomes to lighten up one’s Christmas tree and home.

‘Meraki’ is a word that modern Greeks often use to describe the soul, creativity or love you put into something; the essence of yourself you put into your work.

NHHDC Ltd. was set up in the year 1979 as Government of Nagaland Undertaking with the main objective of promotion and development of vibrant traditional handloom and handicrafts products indigenous and unique to the state of Nagaland. The Corporation also runs ten sales emporiums within and outside the State.