Apem Kamondong
Kohima July 11 (MExN): Nagaland is known for its rich cultural heritage with handloom and handicraft being an inherited part of the legacy. Recently a craft bazaar was organized in the state capital to promote the workmanship of artisans. Organized by the Nagaland Government and supported by the Central Textile Ministry the week-long event saw participation from different states of the Northeastern region. It was a bazaar to promote ‘tradition’.
The craft bazaar had forty-two stalls representing different states and cultures of the NE region, with women entrepreneurs ruling the roost. The crafts bazaar also expressed the coming together of the genders in the sphere of craftsmanship, hitherto a male-dominated area.
“These are all very good things. Usually these things are made by men, but these days even women are able to do all these things that women can do. That’s why I am happy,” said Ketou, a customer, taking a break from shopping. Relatively, the crafts will be centered as much on the global populace as for local connoisseurs. “We are trying to give importance to expose our traditional art and craft and weaves. Especially our craft and weaves not only to the rest of the country, but globally also,” according to N Hushili Sima, MD, Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts.
The dresses, handicrafts and designs represented a tribe, a tradition and this uniqueness characterized the hallmark of the products of the NE region.
Octogenarian Kheheli Sema has been in this profession for the last six decades. The emerging market has given her the hope of better earning and expanding the reach of her products. Her art has won many national awards and now she wants to go global. “I started weaving from 1924. I am now eighty-six year old. I supply my products to different parts of the country and abroad also,” Y Khezheli Sema, herself a National Award Winner, said evidently satisfied with her efforts.
The uniqueness of this craft-fair was that the participation of women entrepreneurs, who are coming up in a big way in the world of business, is more pronounced. “I have been in this profession for a long time. These are hand-made products,” Rokovi, businesswomen says.
The craft bazaar provided a platform to the local artisans to showcase their creative products. Artisans also feel that such fairs are an attempt to market this uniqueness and identity of the region.
With the country’s growing proximity with the ASEAN nations, very soon products from India’s Northeast would be dotting and decorating the houses in Indonesia ,Thailand etc.
To promote easy access to the South East Asian countries, the Nagaland Government has started training youths in the language spoken in the ASEAN nations.
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