Tara Loom Catches On In Nagaland
Production-cum training centre set up in Phek district

Weaving is a passion with the traditional and culturally-bound tribal people of the north-east hill state of Nagaland. Every Naga household is equipped with a traditional loom which provides clothing for the family. The designs on the traditional dresses (mekhla) and shawls of the Naga women are tribe-specific.

The loom has also been a means of income generation, albeit limited, for the Nagas for generations. Since weaving is done in addition to other household chores and cultivation, the production proceeds slowly, inch by inch.

Recognising the vital role of women in both agricultural and non-agricultural activities, the Government of Nagaland had introduced the "Compact Area Development Scheme." The scheme aims at realising the full potential and skills of the Naga women, through income-generation activities. The scheme attempts to overcome the prevailing loopholes and lapses in the existing process of rural development and to enable the benefits of economic development to filter down to the grassroots.

In November 1991, a women’s production-cum-training centre was established under the Government scheme at the village of Chetheba in Phek district of Nagaland with the objective of making the Naga women economically self-reliant. The TARA looms were introduced here for the first time and a group of 15 women were sent to New Delhi to undergo a comprehensive training programme at Development Alternatives.

Today the centre, equipped with sewing and knitting machines as well as the TARA looms, is being efficiently managed by the women. They are proficient not just in the assembly, operation, repair and maintenance of the loom but also in the production and marketing of the fabrics woven at the centre.

Besides meeting the clothing needs of the local people in Chetheba, the production-cum-training centre caters to neighbouring districts. It is heartening that the political disturbances in the state of Nagaland have to date not affected the functioning of the centre in any way.

The TARA loom, with its versatility, higher efficiency and simple operating mechanisms, has made a breakthrough in Nagaland. The Government of Nagaland plans to set up similar production centres, employing Tara Looms, in other districts. TARA is currently collaborating with the Government of Nagaland to make these plans to reality.


by Renu Suri

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