Watsü Mungdang’s School of Culture launches inaugural Pottery and Bamboo Craft Workshop

The School of Culture, a pioneering initiative by Watsü Mungdang, has successfully launched its inaugural Pottery and Bamboo Craft Workshop on 22 September. The event took place at the Women Resource Centre in Marepkong Ward, Mokokchung, marking a significant step in preserving cultural heritage, empowering the younger generation, and contributing to local tourism development.

The workshop, which spans over two days, aims to impart the art of craftsmanship to the youth, with a focus on the intangible cultural heritage embodied in pottery and bamboo craft. These traditional crafts are not just art forms; they are storytellers of lives lived, customs practiced, and the evolution of existence.

Expert instructors led the workshop sessions. Guru S Pangyang Ozukum, hailing from Mopungchuket Village, shared the intricacies of bamboo craft, while women from Changki Village demonstrated the delicate art of pottery.

Dr Adangla Changkija, Convenor of Watsü Mungdang’s School of Culture, emphasized the profound connection between indigenous crafts and the development of tourism. She pointed out that tourists often seek experiences related to local cuisines prepared in traditional pots and seek to purchase authentically crafted items. Workshops of this nature are instrumental in promoting rural tourism and enabling individuals to achieve self-sustainability, she added.

Arenla Longkumer, the President of Watsü Mungdang, underscored the importance of cultural heritage preserved in traditional crafts. She asserted that these crafts play a pivotal role in reflecting the culture and traditions of the region. The knowledge acquired during such workshops can not only become a source of livelihood but also a skill passed down to future generations, she said.

The workshop garnered substantial interest, with 12 participants enrolling for the pottery making session and 2 participants eager to master bamboo crafts. This workshop, a first of its kind in Mokokchung Town, received positive feedback from both participants, the organizers said.

The event will culminate on 23 September, with attendees expected to leave with not just newfound skills but also a deep appreciation for the cultural significance of these crafts and their potential impact on self-sustainability and tourism in the region.

As part of its broader commitment to preserving cultural heritage, Watsü Mungdang also announced the plans to extend their courses to certification courses in order to provide the youths with knowledge as well as providing them with the ability to self-sustain themselves.