MANITEX 2022 Focus laid on traditional tribal dresses
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 07 2022:
The third day of the ongoing Manipur International Textile Expo (MANITEX) 2022 featured a seminar on promotion of tribal dress and costumes.
The third day of the fair being organised by the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles under the Department of Textiles, Commerce and Industries at Urban Haat, Nilakuthi was dedicated to Chandel and Tengnoupal districts.
Representatives of 20 tribal communities spoke about their traditional dresses and costumes at the seminar.
Pointing out that most of the tribal dresses and other accessories are weaved on back-strap looms which take a lot of time, the speakers expressed keen desire to weave these clothes on handloom or powerloom.
The technical session of the seminar was moderated by cultural activist Ningthouja Lancha.
Chandel and Tengnoupal Day was also celebrated today at MANITEX 2022 .
Manipur Handloom and Handicraft Development Corporation Limited (MHHDCL) Chairman MLA Khongbantabam Ibomcha and MLA SS Olish attended the celebration as chief guest and president respectively.
SS Olish said that all the tribal communities of Manipur have their traditional dresses and attires but some of them have either disappeared or are corrupted.
In both the hills and the valley, women share greater responsibility in preserving and promoting these traditional dresses and attires, she said.
She then called upon all the people to wear/use clothes and garments woven/produced in the State in place of clothes imported from outside.
Kh Ibomcha said that the State started holding MANITEX since 2018 with the main objective of preserving and promoting the State's handloom and handicraft products which are closely associated with the people's tradition, culture and way of life.
Promotion of export of these items by incorporating modern elements and attractive designs is another objective of MANITEX, he said.
As in the previous days, a fashion show based on traditional dresses, cultural performances and other entertainment programmes were also organised in the evening.