Artistry Unveiled: Mopungchuket Village hosts Mokokchung District Handloom Expo

A culturally rich spectacle unfolded in Mopungchuket Village of Mokokchung district as the “Tana Bana” District Handloom Expo was inaugurated on Thursday. The event, held under the theme “My Handloom My Pride,” aims to provide a significant platform for local artisans to exhibit their skills while celebrating the heritage of handloom and handicrafts in the region.

The 5-day expo is organized by the Directorate of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland, Kohima in collaboration with the District Industries Centre, Mokokchung, and funded by the office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms, Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The event was brought to life through the initiative of the Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society as the local partners.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Seyie Pfukri NCS, EAC Kubolong, who applauded the initiative taken by the Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society in bringing together artisans from across the region. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of unity among Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and the need to create a brand identity by maintaining quality standards.

Drawing inspiration from the adage “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” he encouraged artisans to collaborate and embrace technological advancements such as E-marketing for wider exposure and convenience.

I Nochet, Functional Manager of the District Industries Centre, Mokokchung explained that while urban areas often have ample opportunities for artistic exposure, the need to provide rural artisans with a platform prompted the choice of Mopungchuket for the District Handloom Expo. This decision was supported by Temjen Jamir, Director of Industries and Commerce, Government of Nagaland. The strategic location of Mopungchuket played a key role in this decision, aiming to amplify the voices and talents of rural artisans.

According to the Mopungchuket Community and Tourism Society (MCTS), the expo features 25 stalls with 12 of them originating from Mopungchuket Village and the remainder from various other locations in the district. Among these stalls, 20 were dedicated to handloom products, while the remaining 5 showcased handicrafts.

MCTS highlighted that the expo aimed not only to empower artisans but also to boost Mopungchuket tourism. MCTS extended a warm invitation to neighboring villages and people in and around Mokokchung to visit and experience the unique cultural and artistic offerings of the event. The Expo is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and will culminate on 14 August.

Mokokchung Times