Our Correspondent
Kisama, Dec. 4 (EMN): Cotton artistry is a diminishing art form in modern Naga society owing to the increasing demand for synthetic fibres.
Yet, with the objective to revive this age-old art form, four Pochury women -- Washethsu, Furuthsu, Jivithsu and Satethsu -- from Meluri village under Phek district, are demonstrating this art to visitors at the ongoing 23rd edition of the Hornbill Festival.
Part of the Crafts Scape, a Naga craft portfolio, organised by Tribal Weave, the four women told Eastern Mirror that the production of cotton is a labour-intensive work that has to be done manually.
The work begins from clearance of the plot for plantation from January, ploughing the field between April-May, followed by plantation of seeds by June-July.
The plant stands approximately three feet, while the raw cotton is harvested between October -December like other agro-crops. The cotton is then dried to initiate the next stage of processing.
‘The raw cotton has to be dried in the sun thoroughly as the more it is dried, it is easier to process and spun. It depends on the sunny weather,’ one of the woman said.
Another one shared that to get a fine bundle of cotton, it takes almost a day while to weave a shawl, it takes two more days.
Despite such efforts and the year-long process, a finished product such as a shawl fetches them only INR 2500 and a muffler INR 1000.
They shared that last year, they were able to harvest over 200 baskets in their village.
When queried about the diminishing art form among the younger generation, they shared that they were trying to revive the art through plantation and imparting training to the youths.
'If they learn it will be revived,’ they shared.
Further, an NGO that has set up an office in their locality to intervene and revive the art has been a ray of hope for the women.
Meanwhile, visitors to the Craft Scape can find bamboo basket weaving being demonstrated by Khuza village; Phukhikwi cane and bamboo table of Regury, both from Phek district, and bamboo craft by the Kuki artisans from Athibung.
One can also find two Chakhesang woodcrafter carving emblems of wealth, merit and status, bamboo basketry from Mokokchung and also beadwork -- banana seed necklace by a Zeliang artisan from Peren district.