Fabrics of North East

Tribes of North East

The 7 north Indian States are popularly known as seven sisters, comprising of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura and Meghalaya. Textile weaving is done by women in each state. There are more than 38 tribes in North east of India, and each may have its own distinctive design, colour combination and a different design for some special occasion. The design and colour, which varies not only between the tribes but also sometimes between clans of the same tribe and between different villages, records the wearers position in society.

 The most prominent Weaving tribes are Nagaland - Ao, Angami, Konyak, Chang. Arunachal Pradesh- Apatani, Sherdukpen and Monpas. Assam-Bodo,Mishin, Miri Manipur- Meitei

Every woman learns to weave to clothe herself and her family on the simple back-strap loom.

The warp beam is usually securely fixed to the wall of the house. Weaving can begin as soon as the first fruit of the new rice have been eaten.

The back strap loom is also known as Indonesian tension loom or loin loom. The strap supports the small of their back and enables her to maintain the tension of the warp.

RAW MATERIAL USED

Shawls were originally made of cotton and the use of wool came much later. COLORS USED The colors used was mainly simple, Black Dark blue Red yellow

These shawls are mantles of bravery and were worn only by warriors who have won human heads in war and have offered ritual sacrifices.

Manipur Textiles-Innaphi
Moirangphee, Laisangphee

Phanek

Muga silk mekhala chador and Gamosha

Assamese Textiles
The weavers from Assam weave beautiful designs on the borders of their mekhlas, chaddars, rihas (traditional garments used by the women) and gamosas (towels). Designs are inspired from the carvings of Kamakhya temple and Madan Gopal temple. The patterns generally involve animals, human figures, flowers, birds and diamonds. The designs in Assam are symbolic of the different tribes and ethnic groups of the area. The weavers of Sualkuchi weave beautiful Mekhala Chador in Muga silk.

Muga silk mekhala chador and Gamosha

 The weavers from Assam weave beautiful designs on the borders of their mekhlas, chaddars, rihas (traditional garments used by the women) and gamosas (towels). The patterns generally involve animals, human figures, flowers, birds and diamonds. The designs in Assam are symbolic of the different tribes and ethnic groups of the area.

Gamocha
As per custom, the young woman in Assamese society has to present a self-woven bihuan (gamosa or towel) to her beloved as a token of love, and to elders as a symbol of respect on Bohag Bihu (New Year's Eve). These towels are white with patterns at both ends with stylised forms of birds, animals, humans, flowers, foliage and geometric motifs.