Noel Manuel
Ungma | November 21
When Nungshi Longkumer was first sent to St. Edmund’s School Shillong for his education, little was he aware that the knowledge that he was about to receive would not be the real thing he would eventually settle into. Instead, unlike most siblings of today, he decided to go back to his roots and reinvent the profession of his ancestors.
This 38-year-old of Ungma village and chairman of Shin SHG is more popularly known as the graduate of bamboo furnishings than the arts degree he earned from one of Shillong’s premier institutions.
His CV is proof of the rich expertise he possesses in a land that boasts of its’ artisans and musicians. The interior decorations at the Mokokchung Chamber of Commerce and Industry, rostrum at the Imkongmeren Sports Complex and even the village residence of his Excellency the Governor of Goa, sums up the talent and creativity of Longkumer.
“More than that it was my father’s energy, his enthusiasm, his sense of mission that made me look up to him as a role model. Throughout my childhood and adolescence, my main ambition was to live up to his standards and to grow up to be like him.”
So while Longkumer credits his success to his father, he equally thanks G. Sekar, the manager of the State Bank of India for initially encouraging him with financial assistance to procure raw materials and set up shop.
Interesting though, Longkumer has not only returned to his roots, but is even playing guide to the eleven other members in his SHG - motivating, encouraging and assisting them with the trade, while sharing the revenue of his earnings so that they effortlessly continue to keep their tradition alive. “I have returned to the profession of my forefathers to set an example to our youth. Education does not only mean securing white collar jobs. We should take pride in reinventing the traditions of our forefathers.”
Today, if weddings, welcome gates, rostrums, furniture and interior decorations are made to look more traditional and authentic, there is an inscription of Longkumer’s artistic skills visible on them.
And ask Longkumer what he does when he’s not stripping bamboos or decorating walls and ceilings, he responds with a traditional song in the Ao dialect, he so often sings to keep his roots and memories of his forefathers alive.
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