Inaocha Leima makes living out of ladder making craft
Source: Chronicle News Service / Thounaojam Brojendro Singh
Imphal, August 26 2023:
I often came across a woman making bamboo ladder near the Banyan tree growing at the corner of the approach road to Chorus Repertory Theatre just after Samushang Uku along Uripok Kangchup Road.
She could be seen making ladder braving the scorching summer heat and cold rainy days even during the dreaded times of Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the state and also during bandh.
Bamboo ladder has been an integral part of every household in Manipur since time immemorial.
It is not known who made the first ladder, but it is a craft passed down the generations in both hills and valley of Manipur.
Though there is no hard and fast rule, the craft is normally carried out by male members of the society.
Meetei women too are known for their intricate craft works and some even praise them as having eyes on their fingertip.
They are heavily engaged in apparel making, farming and vegetable gardening works.
Occasionally, some women are involved in craft works, which were considered craft for men, and Ngangbam Ningol Inaocha Leima is one of them, who makes her living by making bamboo ladder.
Inaocha is a resident of Lamboi Khongnangkhong Mamang Leikai, Imphal West.
Her husband Thokchom Rojit, with whom she got married at the age of 19, has passed away.
She has two sons and one daughter.
Her husband, an instructor of folk dance, started selling bamboo some 10 years ago near the Banyan tree located across the road in front of their gate.
During that time, Rojit learned how to make bamboo ladder from a local elder Takhellambam Samungou.
Unfortunately, he got infection on his both kidneys and liver after suffering from diabetes.
The couple used all their savings and then sold many of their properties before borrowing money from friends and money lenders for his treatment.
However, all those efforts could not save his life and he passed away leaving Inaocha with a burden of debts.
She suffered from mental stress after his passing away and had to seek treatment from professional psychiatrist.
Today, she is continuing the trade of making bamboo ladder and selling them, which her husband did while he was alive.
She often joined her husband in making bamboo ladder and it paid off when she resumed the craftwork.
There was a time when she sought some assistance some government offices but could not get any.
But she did not lose hope and continued to dedicate her time to the craftwork her husband left.
Today, she is making a livelihood from the work due to her steadfast resolve.
Inaocha told The People's Chronicle that she sells at least 10 ladder in a month.
On a lucky day, she could sell two ladders.
Depending on the height of the ladder, she sell them at the rate of Rs 1000 to 2000 per piece.
Sometimes, she gets pre-order with specific height.
An engineer from Bengaluru, who was visiting the state electricity department a few months ago personally came to her worksite and bought two ladders.
The engineer also praised her work and resilience, which encouraged her to work harder.
Regarding her craft, Inaocha told TPC that she mostly uses Khokwa or Longa variety of bamboo for making ladders.
She had recently learned making Sekpin/Satra (a bamboo pole with rounded canopy like cloths in multiple stages usually erected in front of Meetei temples) from a relative.
She encouraged her eldest son to learn the craft and he is now earning his own income from the craft.
With their joint income, they are now able to clear most of the debts.
Besides, she has managed to build a small pucca house on the piece of land her husband left.
Even though, they are now having a better life, the family is still accustomed to their old lifestyle filled with poverty.
Like her, there are several such hard working people working day and night to make both ends meet and a simple gesture of assistance from the authority concerned would go a long way in providing a boost to their impoverished life.
Comment
