- Khupunai H
- Glimpse at the Tana Bana
District Handloom Expo
- DIMAPUR — At the heart of the Tana Bana
District Handloom Expo, which commenced on Thursday, are artisans like Anitoli,
founder of Anitoli Weaves, and Vekuvolu Dozo, founder of Viko Ethnic, who are
working to preserve Nagaland’s handloom heritage.
- Anitoli, a member of the Sumi community from Niuland
district, highlighted the importance of embracing handloom products in today’s
fast-changing world.
- “Nowadays, most people are using western products and
clothes. For me, it’s very important to use handloom products because they
carry the traditions of our tribes and parents,” she shared.
- With 17 artisans working under her cluster, her mission is
to not only preserve her community’s cultural legacy but also encourage others
to support and adopt handloom products.
Glimpse at the Tana Bana
District Handloom Expo
Similarly, Vekuvolu Dozo, who specialises in traditional
cotton handlooms, emphasised the importance of proper care to maintain the
longevity of handmade fabrics.
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- Both artisans stress that handwoven products require special
attention—Anitoli advises against machine washing, recommending gentle
handwashing instead to preserve the fabric’s integrity, while Dozo noted that
cotton products should be dried in shaded areas to prevent fading and maintain
their quality over time.
- While participating in events like the Tana Bana District
Handloom Expo provides valuable exposure, the artisans stated that they face
significant hurdles and logistical difficulties.
