Angami Public Organisation seeks revision of traditional attire copyright agreement

DIMAPUR — The Angami Public Organisation (APO) has opposed the state government’s proposed copyright plan on traditional attire, terming the inclusion of three non-Naga tribes “unacceptable” and potentially harmful for future Naga generations.

In a letter to the chairman of Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd. (NHHDC), the APO acknowledged the extensive work undertaken in compiling the ‘Documentation of Traditional Attire of Indigenous Tribes of Nagaland,’ which reportedly features 15 recognised Naga tribes.

However, it maintained that the inclusion of Kachari, Kuki and Garo communities—“who are not indigenous tribes of the state”—under the title ‘Traditional Attire of Indigenous Tribes of Nagaland’ is “highly objectionable.”

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The APO pointed out that one of the provisions in the proposed copyright agreement designate tribal apex bodies as “primary owners” and the government of Nagaland, represented by NHHDC and the Nagaland Science & Technology Council, as “secondary owners”, together forming “co-owners”.

While the organisation agreed that the attires of the 15 Naga tribes fit the definition of indigenous heritage, it argued that the three non-Naga tribes “cannot under any circumstance” be categorised in the same way or be made co-owners of indigenous Naga attire.

“The APO do acknowledges the fact that some people from these 3 tribes migrated to Naga country and lived among the Nagas and upon creation of Nagaland state under Indian Union in 1963, the government of Nagaland recognised these people who settled in Nagaland prior to the attainment of statehood as indigenous inhabitants of Nagaland for the purpose of employment and land holding only,” the letter read.

It, however, asserted that their indigeneity lies outside Nagaland, and extending such recognition to cultural and intellectual property would have “serious implications or ramifications for future Naga generations.”

Citing these concerns, the APO stated it cannot be a party to the proposed copyright agreement in its current form and urged the authorities to reconsider the document in the broader interest of the Naga people and ensure that the indigenous identity and traditional attires of the Naga tribes are not diluted.