Handloom and Handicrafts

HANDICRAFTS

Manipur is proud of traditional arts and crafts excellence. Cane and Bamboo available abundantly in the state made the artists and craftsmen opportunity to produce and popularize different products. Different shapes and sizes with different designs are manufactured for domestic and ritualistic.

Lukmai, Heijing Kharai and Phiruk are exclusively meant for ceremonies such as wedding, birth and death occasions. Baskets, Likhai, Sangbai, Polaang, Chengbon, Meruk, Morah, Yangkok etc. are made for domestic purposes.

Pottery products like pots are handmade and are of different colours (red, dark red and black). Pottery products are mainly made from places like Andro, Chairen, Sekmai, Thongjao, Nungbi and Senapati District. Chakpa women are good potters and they make different types of pots are made for ritualistic and ceremonial purposes. Pottery products are used for storing rice, dry fish and cooking purposes.

Fishing equipments like Longup, Tungbol etc. are made of cane and bamboo. People of Maring tribe inhabiting the Chandel and Senapati Districts are the main manufacturers of these types of basket. Other tribes and the Meeteis also contribute a lot to the production of baskets.

HANDLOOMS

Handloom industry is one of the largest cottage industries in the state, flourishing in the state since time immemorial. One of the special features of the industry is that women are the only weavers. According to the National handloom Census Reports 1988 there are about 2.71 lakh looms in Manipur. Most of the weavers who are famous for their skill and intricate designing are from Wangkhei, Kongba, Bamon Kampu, Utlou etc. The rest of the villages of the state producing all varieties of fabrics. Tribal shawls are also famous not only among their respective tribes but also popular among other people of the state. Tribal shawls with exotic designs and motifs are the products of five hill districts of the State. Fabrics and Shawls of Manipur are in great demand in the national and international market.