TOUCH WOOD!
Adecade ago, Diezephe in Nagaland’s Dimapur district used to essentially be a farming village. But, over time, the villagers have realised the livelihood potential of handicraft and handloom and made an occupational switch. The village was established in 1976 and has a population of under 800, most of whom belong to the Tenyimei community, known for its craftsmanship. These craftspersons and weavers, who have acquired the skills from their forefathers, are veterans in woodcarving, bamboo craft and handloom.
From collecting raw material from the forest to the craftwork to transporting the finished products, the villagers are engaged in every aspect of the craft trade. Over the years, they have improvised beyond items of traditional value to make commercially viable products, such as key chains and showpiece items. With the introduction of machines, many craftspersons shifted from bamboo craft to woodcarving. The villagers also make earthenware. A wooden toy project has been initiated in the village.
While the men are engaged in making crafts from wood, bamboo and cane, the women are into weaving and using traditional loin looms. The women make clothes, fashion wear and household furnishings, catering to tourists and urban markets. They undergo training as and when they decide to introduce new products or designs.
In 2001, the Nagaland government recognised Diezephe as a ‘crafts village’. Subsequently, the Union ministry for textiles set up a workshop equipped
with machinery, such as a band saw, lathe machine and scroll saw. This has helped meet the increasing demand for handicrafts from Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
The dying art of loin loom weaving is still practised by weavers in Diezephe. The village has etched its name in the international arena through the annual International Loin Loom Festival, an initiative of the Exotic Echo Society. The festival is held in Diezephe village in the first week of December. The festival is organised to empower Naga women, promote the loin loom, ensure socio-economic benefits for women weavers and to encourage the younger generation to adopt the craft as a livelihood alternative. Diezephe village has also been a recipient of the Nagaland governor’s Award in the field of Art.