Morung Express News
Dimapur | June 14
Efforts to document Naga traditional cultural expressions such as attires, motifs, designs and ornaments are on track and most tribal organisations (hohos) of the recognised Naga tribes have submitted details of their research and documentation teams to the State Level Committee.
On Monday, Nagaland Handloom & Handicrafts Development Corporation (NHHDC), Chairperson Miathou Krose, who heads the eight-member State Level Committee to facilitate and oversee the process, said that the tribal hohos have been given the free-hand to choose their own documentation teams, as they are better informed on who within their respective communities, can do the work best.
“Clear instructions have been given out to the tribal hohos to carefully select members and researchers, with equal gender representation, so that accurate documentation is done,” Krose said.
Addressing concerns about the composition of the Committee which comprises of bureaucrats only, Krose explained that the members were selected from various departments that can assist in and supervise the entire documentation process.
“For example, we have the Art and Culture Department, the Information & Public Relations, Tribal Affairs, DUDA, etc., all of which can contribute in various ways towards the documentation exercise and subsequent filing of Geographical Indications (GI) tag registration,” he reasoned.
Towards this, NHHDC Managing Director, Zakabo Rotokha who is also part of the Committee, informed that the documentation is being done based on technical guidelines drawn up under the supervision of Dr Nesatalu Hiese, a Scientist at the Nagaland Science and Technology Council (NASTEC). Dr Hiese is also a member of the State Level Committee.
This, the MD maintained, would ensure that the GI tagging process would go smoothly as NASTEC has previously worked with the Chakhesang community during the registration of their traditional textile.
Most of the hohos have submitted their lists, and reminders have been sent out just recently for those who have not submitted yet, Rotokha said.
Meanwhile, Krose underscored that a timeline of one year, from April 2022, was given to the Committee to complete the entire project. “We are constantly keeping a tab on the progress of work at the tribe level and the Committee members will also be making regular visits to inspect the works so that it is completed on time,” he added.
Both Krose and Rotokha noted that the project, initiated by the Chief Minister, is a ‘first of its kind’ in the state, and urged the tribal hohos and the community at large to take advantage of the opportunity and ensure protection of their traditional cultural expressions.
