Books on Tangkhul traditional Textiles Ornaments and Crafts released

Ukhrul: A book titled The Textiles, Ornaments and Potteries of The Tangkhul Tribe – Cultural significance and similarities with other Naga Tribes, written by Ningshimyao Angkang Shimray was officially released on August 25.

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Speaking to this Correspondent, Ningshimyao Angkang Shimray, author of the book stated that the book aims to bring alive the unique and beautiful weaves and crafts of the past and present, which he hopes will act as a catalyst to uncovering and recovering as well as re-nurturing age old tradition, and give a better perspective to future art of weaving, pottery and other forms of art indigenous to the Naga people.

“The book is written with a hope that it will help our own people as well as people from other social cultural background, and researchers to see and understand the rich cultural heritage of the Nagas,” Ningshimyao Angkang Shimray said.

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She continued, “The textile section is a catalogue of colourful pictography, description and significance attached to our clothes. I intend to dwell only in the old and original clothes and a few selected modified traditional clothes of the Tangkhuls so that the younger generations do not forget the stories and significances attached to the clothes.

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“The ornaments section is a brief information on its beauty, symbolism and functional aspects among the Tangkhuls while the pottery section is also a brief note on its utility, aesthetic sense and expression at the worldview among the Tangkhul tribe and few other Naga tribe,” the author said.

“I am grateful to North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Dimapur, Nagaland for allowing me to do this research and produce this book under the Documentation Scheme. Though the book is not a complete book, the initiative of documenting few important attires, ornaments and crafts of the Tangkhul Naga Tribe will surely serve as a reference for those who wants to know more about Tangkhuls and re-educate themselves about Tangkhul traditional attires, ornaments and crafts,” added Ningshimyao Angkang Shimray.

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About the author
Ningshimyao Angkang Shimray is a craft activist. She holds a Master Degree in Sociology and also hold a professional course in studio pottery from Delhi Blue Pottery, New Delhi. Also as an ceramatic artist, her art work began to gain recognition and won the All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS) Award in studio pottery in 2007. She founded an NGO called the “Hao Heritage Foundation” in 2009 to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the indigenous communities. At present she is the Convenor of the Traditional Attire Committee of the Tangkhul Shanao Long- the apex body of the Tangkhul women. Her works includes promoting original designs and ensuring ethucal applications of motifs amd meanings to new textile creation.

The book with colourful 99 pages is priced at Rs. 1800 and will be made avaliable soon in different outlets.

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