HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFTS

Handicraft comes natural to the Nagas and this is not surprising, because they are the real and un-tarnishable children of the soil. Using cane, bamboo etc. the master craftsmen can create anything from a small paper knife to large and trendy pieces of furniture.

The Naga Heritage Complex is a permanent site built at Kisama, where the annual Hornbill Festival is held in December. The Purpose of this complex is to serve as a window to Nagaland (WTN), aiming to provide a preview of the entire state on a single platform.

The WTN show cases the traditional houses or MORUNGS, representing the 16 recognized tribes of Nagaland. Each of these units display the unique offerings of each tribe in terms of crafts, cuisine, cultural activities etc. besides providing points of sale for the local products. An added attraction is the flow garden for the display, sale and exhibition of flowers and plants.

The WTN also house the World War II Museum.

The colours of the Naga People has been projected all over the world through their handloom products. The red and black Naga shawls and throw-overs have become familiar sight in many parts of the globe because of the mastery and patience of the weavers and the marketing efforts of the Govt. of Nagaland and the private entrepreneurs.

The traditional art handloom products also made space for the modern 21st century fashion apparels and the two are now complimenting each other perfectly through the fusion of traditional and modern designs; products created from this concept have caught the eye of the international fashion world. A number of young designers have graduated from the best fashion schools in India and the west and they hold promises of carrying traditional Naga fashion across borders in a contemporary manner.