How Alan Newmai is facing modern trends with handmade woodenware

Khriezovonuo Roseline Belho

KOHIMA — Along the busy footpath of the Supermarket area in Kohima sits a small craft corner run by Alan Newmai from Jalukie, Peren district. He sells locally made woodenware to earn a living while maintaining the tradition of crafting tools used by Naga communities.

With the help of his brothers, Newmai produces and exports wooden goods from Jalukie to Kohima and other parts of the Northeast, including Manipur and Shillong.

Speaking to Eastern Mirror, he shared that he began making wooden wares in 2005 and continues to supply his crafts to various districts of Nagaland and beyond.

In Kohima, although not everyone engages in farming or gardening, there remains a need for traditional tools like the Naga ‘dao’ for kitchen and agricultural use.

Newmai aims to continue producing these tools to show future generations the tools used by their ancestors.

He acknowledged that business competition from thrift stores and steelware vendors is growing in the area, making it important not to miss any sales opportunity, which poses a regular challenge for him.

Newmai’s craftwork is his family’s sole source of income. His shop was previously located below Khouchiezie Kohima (Local Ground north gate area) but was removed for remodelling under the Kohima Smart City project. He now sells his products from the opposite side along the footpath, using plastic basket crates to display them.

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Looking ahead, Newmai hopes to expand his business if he can secure a better sales space or reach areas where demand for his products exists. While many now use steel and plastic utensils, he wants to continue offering handmade wooden items that reflect the culture he inherited, preserving traditions through this art form and showcasing them to tourists.

In Nagaland, many earn their living by crafting wooden items such as spoons, plates, pestles, spades, and hoes using skills passed down through generations.

Artisans use local woods like teak and Kanmari, carving the items by hand with chisels, saws, drill presses, and sanders. Simple tribal designs often highlight cultural identity. These products are sold in local markets and to tourists, providing important income.

Hoes and spades remain essential for farming and gardening, while wooden utensils are valued for their practicality and environmental benefits. Despite challenges such as deforestation and limited market access, this craft helps sustain families and preserve traditional knowledge.

He maintained that each wooden spoon takes at least 30 minutes to carve, with careful shaping and smoothing of the handle and bowl. Hoe-making takes longer, about an hour, with careful measuring to fit the iron plate securely.

The writer is a student of Journalism and Mass Communication at Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is currently an intern at Eastern Mirror.

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