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Dimapur, Aug. 13 (EMN): The Nagaland Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (NHHDC Ltd.), a government of Nagaland undertaking, has taken a strong exception to a newly launched collection of Fabindia, claiming that the clothing brand has used “Naga prints” without permission as well as used inappropriately.
The complaint came a few days after the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society (CWWS) protested used of its textiles by an Indian designer without taking due permission.
In a press statement issued, the board of directors (BOD) of the NHHDC Ltd. said that it is particularly against the category “Folkdelic” under the newly launched collection FabNU which has “clothing that has Naga prints and Naga-inspired prints apparently without any permission, collaboration with local artisans or any kind of credit given to any Naga tribe or organisation”.
“The board noted that not only has Naga prints been used without permission but depiction of male warriors have been made on clothing meant for women which is totally objectionable. Naga prints and motifs have evolved over centuries and are gender and tribe specific and passed down from one generation to the next and for an outside entity to misappropriate these patterns and prints without permission and without involving the Naga Community for their profit is unacceptable and should be stopped immediately,” read the press release.
It also stated that Fashion magazines in India like ELLE and VOGUE have also carried articles on this new collection but no mention has been made of Nagaland or the Nagas.
The board said that it has decided to pursue the matter with the appropriate authority to ensure that similar instances don’t recur in the future. It also urged ‘Tribal Hohos/Women Hohos and all stakeholders to exercise extreme caution while collaborating or partnering with individuals and business entities, and grant permission only for a specific event or period and not perpetually’.
While expressing concern over the claim of Chakhesang Women Welfare Society (CWWS) that designer Ritika Mittal had used its textile without consent and correct accreditation, the board said it wasn’t the first time Naga traditional attires, ornaments and motifs have been misused and appropriated by non Nagas.
“It was because of such instances that the government of Nagaland had earlier written to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, and declared that Naga cultural attires are gender specific and sacrosanct to the Naga society,” it stated, adding that any display or usage in any form could create serious repercussions in the society unless a written permission is obtained from the native source.
“Subsequently, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs was requested to refrain from any illegitimate practices anywhere in relation to Naga traditional attires, etc.,” it said.
While condemning Mittal for the use of CWWS’s textiles, the board also called for ensuring against exploitation and misuse of Naga traditional attires, ornaments and motifs. It went on to laud the CWWS for IG tagging its traditional attires and expressed hope that other Naga tribes would follow suit.