Awareness programme and exhibition of traditional thebvo weaving at Leshemi village

Phek, January 23 (MExN): With an aim to create awareness and give importance to traditional weaving methods and practices in Nagaland, the District Administration & DLCW- Mahila Shakti Kendra (BBBP) organised an awareness programme-cum- exhibition on traditional weaving techniques at Leshemi village under Phek district on January 23 as part of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao week 2021.

According to press release from DA and DLCW MSK on Saturday, discussion was also held with the village women folks on new design techniques and ways to reach new markets across India. 

On the occasion, N Bhavani Sri, SDO (C) and Nodal Officer BBBP, Phek viewed that stinging nettles fabric, known as thebvo in the local Khuzhale language,  would have an excellent market, if the supply chain can be properly streamlined and also encouraged the weavers to come up with more contemporary designs. 

While appreciating the Leshemi women society for their recent efforts in connecting with right designers and brands, she also stressed on importance of preserving local methods and practices.

She urged the women to make sure that traditional methods adapt to modernity in order to keep the products in demand and relevant. 

Observing that the process of making thebvo meneh mekhela involves various steps right from collection of raw material to drying, dyeing, weaving etc, she said, it was achievable only because of the unity and strong community mobilisation among the villagers.

EAC Phek Wetsho Lasushe said weaving should not be considered only as part of culture but also as a profession. He suggested that innovative ideas should get reflected in the designing of the products, thereby making it marketable.

Earlier, Chairperson Neipetso Lomi in the introductory speech said that extracting fabric from stinging nettles was passed down by forefathers and was believed to have originated from Leshemi in Chakhesang area. 

Leshemi village holds and preserves the tradition and culture of thebvo production till today. In order to preserve this culture, the village has created a brand by the name Leshemi Origins, he informed.

He said the fiber-to-fabric journey is completely local and self-sustaining, the entire community is involved in the creation process as stinging-nettle strips are thigh-reeled and converted to yarn, and then beaten, bleached, softened, dyed, and strip-woven on back-strap looms, also known as loin looms. 

Explaining the process, the villagers mentioned that the harvesting of stinging nettles begins from early part of November till January when the nettles leaves wither, making the bark strong and firm. After this, the production of thebvo goes through different processes. 

During the programme, women folk from the village also demonstrated the process of making fabric from stinging nettles, the release stated.

As part of the BBBP week 2021, District Administration & DLCW- Mahila Shakti Kendra (BBBP) will be organising various activities from January 21 to 26. Some of the activities include dadi-poti/grandmother-granddaughter selfie, distribution of BBBP calendar to the HoDs in Phek HQ and sub-divisions under Phek District, online poetry slam competition, distribution of baby kits and certificates to District Hospital Phek, display of Phek district BBBP theme song on local channel/media , declaration of selfie contest, felicitation of local champions, display of BBBP stall on Republic Day followed by  a Signature Campaign, the release informed.