Threads of Culture, Significance of preserving what’s ours

A tapestry woven of 200 different ethnicities, over 220 languages, and numerous such traditions, Northeast India is a captivating blend of culture. We owe this to the eight states of NER – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. To foster this level of harmony in diversity is something we can only imagine and to be able to witness a region illustrate this is worth reading about.

Moreover, the cultural identity that NER has built for itself is an ode to the traditional crafts of the region. They play a heavy role in preserving the culture. But why preserve the culture at all? Why invest energy into safeguarding the crafts of a region?

Significance of Traditional Crafts in Preserving Cultural Identity

• Visual representation of identity: The crafts serve as a medium of expression for the artisans to tell their community stories. And the various motifs and symbolism that appear in these crafts take forward the cultural significance to the rest of the world.
• Immortalizing community skills: The knowledge behind these crafts is passed down through generations, with artisans teaching their skills to younger members.
• Sustainability and preserving nature: These crafts often utilize locally sourced materials, tracing them back to nature and developing a connection that remains sustainable with time.

Now that we’ve understood the importance of these traditional crafts, let’s move on to explore them in more detail –

The Rich Diversity of North-eastern Traditional Crafts

• Weaving and textiles: The most uncommon silks are produced in the heart of Assam.

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/assamese-silk?image_type=photo
 (MUGA SILK)

Content under image: Muga silk as seen in the image above, is a golden colour thread known for its endurance and consistency.

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/assamese-silk?image_type=photo
 (PAT SILK)

Content under image: The Pat silk, on the other hand, is white and is known to be of the highest quality. And then comes the Erisilk, that is also white in colour, smooth in texture and used to manufacture blankets and scarfs.

While Assam has these silks derived from silkworms, Manipur has the most special fabrics such as Phanek. This piece of garment is worn by Manipuri women in the form of a wraparound and is adorned with detailed embroidery that holds significance to their culture.

• Bamboo craftsmanship: NER holds tremendous admiration when it comes to the lightweight and eco-friendly utilisation of bamboo. What can you not achieve with this material? Well, in the Northeast, from lamp shades, trays, and mats weaved and knitted to handbags, containers, and other storage systems, bamboo is utilised as a phenomenally versatile material.

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 (JAAPI)

Content under image: Bamboo also lends itself to the art of basketry and to the traditional conical hat of Assam called ‘Jaapi’ made with tightly woven bamboo and tokoupaat (palm leaf).

Naga and Khasi Artisans are known for gathering bamboo for a whole year from the forest before cutting it to its desired length. It is then split into splints – one inter-node for mats, two for small baskets, or three-four for bigger baskets, and so on.

• Pottery and Ceramics: NER also sees pottery and ceramics as an integral part of its cultural growth. Some of the significant kinds of pottery include Kalaha and Pan Boat from  Assam, Dhupdani or Dhupti Teliamura from Tripura, Ketli from Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya and Manipur. The list doesn’t end there as there are also vessels like the Tumba from Manipur where people can drink local liquor or water and various kinds of cups. You can read about this in detail from a report submitted by Dr. Rajesh Bhowmik who is a Professor in Painting & Head Department of Fine Arts, at Tripura University –Existence of Potteries in North-Eastern Region of India. The study also includes images so that you can visually understand the intricacy that goes into each item.
• Wood Carving and Sculpture: Northeast India is also known for woodcraft that takes place among numerous tribal communities in Arunachal Pradesh. There are different kinds of woodcraft such as masks and wooden images of Lord Buddha, and some even connected to headhunting. Moreover, the Rancho area of Tirap district is extremely popular for woodcarving and craftsmanship.

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 (MASK)

Content under image: Traditionally woodcrafted masks at Silpgram, Guwahati, Assam.

Now we’re going to further understand what impacts these traditional crafts –

 The Impact of Modernisation on Cultural Identity

The very first impact that modernisation brings is using a dominant language which is usually English. And one of the most imperative components of cultural identity is an indigenous language that requires preservation. Apart from this, modernisation also means building roads and other such infrastructures and industries. Although this improves the economic condition of the region, it also displaces these indigenous communities from their traditional lands, affecting their cultural practices and way of life. And as the region becomes more attractive to tourists, there’s a certain commercialisation of traditional practices. Most of the communities begin to alter their existing cultural expression to cater to tourist demands.

However, modernisation doesn’t only impact a region negatively! It also brings upon a certain realisation to revive and preserve this cultural identity that the people have built for centuries at end. As communities become aware of the threat to their heritage, it projects more effort to safeguard and promote traditional practices.

Apart from modernisation, NER also witnesses mass production that equally impacts cultural identity. It means homogenisation of culture and stifling unique cultural expressions. Artisans have their way of expressing their culture and due to the lack of financial support and absence of proper marketing channels, they have to resort to mass production and alter various traditional practices to cater to a larger market.

To conclude this journey through the heritage of NER, preserving our local crafts is not merely a nostalgic pursuit but an endeavour that holds significance for our communities, identity, and collective future. By safeguarding traditional craftsmanship, we honour the ingenuity and wisdom of our ancestors, passing down a rich legacy to future generations. Local crafts are not just expressions of creativity; they are the threads that weave together the social fabric of our societies, fostering a sense of belonging and pride. Embracing our heritage empowers local economies, promotes sustainable practices, and cultivates a deeper appreciation for the beauty of cultural diversity. And we can all agree that with time, the world has become increasingly interconnected, therefore, preserving local crafts becomes an urgent call to protect the uniqueness that sets each region apart. Let us recognize the intrinsic value of our heritage and wholeheartedly commit to its preservation, for in doing so, we forge a path toward a more enriched, inclusive, and harmonious global community.