Amid conflict, women artisans eye e-commerce to preserve Manipur's vanishing crafts
Source: The Sangai Express / Waari Singbul Network

Imphal, October 15 2024: Despite the sustained ethnic strife in Manipur, a group of women artisans of the State are determined to give shape to their focused tasks, and everything goes smoothly in their endeavors.

From their localized markets and modest work places in the remote corners of the State, now they have acquired e-commerce skills, and once they complete certain formalities and guidelines prescribed by the Government, they will stand qualified for entering the global market.

What is more amazing is that most of these women are now accustomed to operating computer and digital handlings to smoothen their e-commerce accomplishments.

This trend will undoubtedly transform the crafts' promotion and business dynamics and preserve the dying traditional artistries.

Amid conflict, women artisans eye e-commerce to preserve Manipur's vanishing crafts

The force behind this game changing effort is Soubam Luxmibai Devi, a winner of the US State Department's Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2022 .

She transformed the crafts landscape after organising a month-long series of workshops which ended on July 26, this year under the banner of e-nupikeithel, a transformative initiative supported by AIFF, US Consulate General, Kolkata.

The moniker of this smart initiative "nupikeithel" means women's market.

Held at a hotel in Thangmeiband area, the workshop empowered women artisans with digital, e-commerce, product design, sustainability, and scientific intervention skills, said Luxmibai (36) .

Over 20 women artisans took part in the workshop which aimed to preserve the State's rich heritage of eight unique ethnic dying crafts by educating them in digital media, e-commerce and product quality as well as sustainability.

Deep-coloured fabrics like Shaphee Lanphee and Lashingphee, a glossy black pottery of Nungbi in Ukhrul district, brick red pottery of Andro in Imphal East, red ochre pottery of Nongpok Sekmai in Thoubal, redware pottery of Chairel in Thongjao in Kakching, greyware pottery of Ningthemcha Karong in Imphal West and wood carving of Tangkhul are such dying crafts.

Significantly, Shaphee Lanphee, the rare traditional hand-woven textile has its historical roots as it was handed over to warriors after they came victorious in fights as a bravery award by the rulers of Manipur during ancient times.

According to Luxmibai, the workshops covered a comprehensive range of topics, including "Digital Marketing and Branding", "Leveraging Social Media for Brand Promotion and Customer Engagement", "Packaging - Product & Shipping", "Managing Logistics for Efficient Operations" and "Quality Control, Legal Compliances and Government Supported Schemes for Artisans" to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in the online marketplace.

Apart from e-commerce, the workshop also addressed crucial aspects of sustainable craft practices like Food Safety Practice and Basic Principles of Handloom & Handicrafts-Sustainable Dyeing & Artisanal Techniques, she said.

The programme also further enriched the artisans' understanding of product design through various sessions, she added.

Expounding, Luxmibai said during the session under the topic "Introduction to Product Design Principles", Maibam Surjamala, a designer at the "Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts" (EPCH), shared fundamental design principles to enhance the aesthetics and functionality of handcrafted products.

On "Science Intervention in Handloom & Handicrafts for Sustainability", Dr Chandralekha Ayekpam, a research associate at IBSD, explored the application of science to ensure sustainable practices in handloom and handicraft production.

Coming to "Pottery: Enhancing Product Quality through Clay Science", Padmini Konsam, founder of "Parables", provided in-depth knowledge on clay science to help potters elevate the quality of their work.

"We are thrilled with the positive response and the skills the artisans have acquired.

This project goes beyond economic empowerment; it's about preserving a cultural legacy," Luxmibai said, adding that the knowledge repository of video tutorials and interviews created during the project will serve as a valuable resource for future generations.

Integrated Rural Development Service Organization (IRDSO), Wangjing is the implementation partner of the project.

By equipping artisans with e-commerce, product design, and sustainability skills, the project empowers them to bypass geographical limitations, reach a global audience, and secure fair compensation for their work.

This not only strengthens their economic independence but also fosters the continuation of these unique crafts, ensuring their place in Manipur's vibrant cultural tapestry, she added.

Kamla Samjetsabam, who specialized in Thongjao Pottery, said the workshop has been a game changer.

Notably, Samjetsabam holds an MSc degree in geology.

"This will not only secure my livelihood, but also ensures the survival of this age-old craft," Kamla added.

Maisnam Lalini Devi, a Shaphee Lanphee weaver and a National award winner on her dedicated works to promote and preserve and promote the vanishing fabric's art said she really enjoyed the e-nupikeithel workshop.

"The course was extremely useful, informative and well taught so much so that it provided me with very effective strategies I could use," she added.