SENAPATI: The Laii Women Society successfully organised Shamayra Nhi: Handloom and Handicrafts Festival under the theme “Weave Your Story” at Laii (Vafiimai) Village on Saturday, celebrating the village’s rich weaving traditions while highlighting women-led cultural and economic empowerment.
Envisioned as a platform to preserve heritage and strengthen livelihoods, the festival brought together artisans, community members, cultural enthusiasts, and invited dignitaries from across the region. Laii Village, known for its intricate handloom and handicraft traditions, continues to face challenges such as limited exposure and market access for its artisans. Shamayra Nhi sought to bridge this gap by combining cultural storytelling with direct market opportunities.
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The inaugural programme commenced with an opening ceremony featuring a traditional weave-in performance, symbolising the continuity of heritage and intergenerational knowledge transfer. Ng. Apele, Women Chairperson of Laii, delivered the welcome address, extending warm greetings to the chief guest, guests of honour, and visitors who had travelled from outside the village to witness the celebration.
The event was graced by social activist B. Kavine as the Chief Guest. H. Tavine, Assistant Manager, Bank of Baroda, attended as the Guest of Honour, alongside other community leaders and representatives.
Addressing the gathering, Guest of Honour H. Tavine quoted Marcus Garvey: “A people without the knowledge of their history is like a tree without roots,” emphasising that the preservation of culture and tradition has historically been driven by women across the world. She stressed the importance of safeguarding indigenous knowledge systems through community participation and education.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Guest B. Kavine lauded the Laii Women Society for conceptualising and executing a meaningful cultural initiative. She encouraged unemployed youth to take up weaving training, noting that handloom can provide a sustainable source of income when skills are properly nurtured and supported. Highlighting the importance of civil society organisations, she spoke on the role of NGOs in community development and social cohesion.
She further urged women to teach children about blood relations and kinship systems, observing that many young people today are unaware of traditional relational sequences. Stressing the values of unity and compassion, she called for the promotion of a culture of giving, mutual support, and shared responsibility. She also advocated for the commercial expansion of the Vafiimai cotton towel, describing it as a product with strong potential in wider markets.
Emphasising that “Vafiimai culture, beauty, and identity must be promoted,” she appealed to men to actively support and uplift women-led initiatives. In a significant gesture of encouragement, B. Kavine donated a weaving machine along with a monetary contribution to the Laii Women Society. She also presented gifts to the Village Authority Council and the Laii Youth and Student Organisation (LYSO), and extended aid to the three eldest women from each khel as a mark of respect.
The day-long festival featured exhibition stalls displaying woven fabrics, bamboo crafts, and traditional jewellery; live weaving demonstrations by master artisans; storytelling sessions on the origins of motifs; panel discussions aligned with the theme; and a vibrant cultural programme with folk activities and games.
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Shamayra Nhi aims to create direct sales opportunities for artisans, enhance the visibility of Laii’s craft traditions on social and mainstream media, and strengthen the organisational capacity of the Laii Women Society. Organisers expressed hope that the festival will serve as the foundation for an annual cultural calendar, positioning Laii as an emerging craft hub in Manipur.
More than a festival, Shamayra Nhi – “Weave Your Story” stood as a celebration of identity, creativity, and community resilience, reinforcing the vital role of women in preserving living heritage and weaving a sustainable future for generations to come.