Working for Economic Empowerment of Manipuri Women Through Promoting their Traditional Manipuri Handloom (2014-2015)
There are more than fifty different indigenous communities in Bangladesh. Among them the Manipuri is one of the well-known indigenous communities in Bangladesh as well as in Indian sub-continent, particularly for their enriched traditional dance and handloom products. Since immemorial period of time, the Manipuri women have been involving with their traditional handloom. Historically, the Manipuri handloom artisans were involved in producing all of their necessary clothes from their traditional handloom. The mentionable thing is that the design and the color combination of Manipuri handloom products are quite unique and different from others. For that reason, some Manipuri handloom product items such as; Shari, Ladies woolen shawl, Orna, Muffler, Bed sheets etc. have become very popular to the mainstream community day by day. So, in the course of time, this sector becomes a profitable sector for its variety of products. Now, many of the mainstream community people wear and use Manipuri handloom products as a part of aristocracy and elegance. Considering the above circumstances, ECDO took the initiative for economic empowerment of Manipuri women through promoting this traditional handloom sector.
At the very beginning of this initiative, ECDO took measures to survey the Manipuri handloom artists to know the details about the current status of Manipuri handloom sector. The purpose of this survey was to identify the existing problems and barriers that artisans faced and to know about their present income from this sector. ECDO found that the quality of Manipuri handloom product was degrading due to lack of quality raw material, innovative designs and problems in the marketing system. In spite of having the lower price, the artisan couldn’t sell their products because of the low quality and design. However, after conducting survey, formal and informal meeting with handloom artisan, middle men, raw material suppliers, seller of the Manipuri handloom products and other important actors, ECDO explored multiple areas for the advancement of this sector. ECDO arranged in-house training for the artisans to ensure quality of the products, unique design and color combination providing all facilities according to their requirements. Moreover, collective views exchange and self evaluation concepts among the artisans also helped enhancing the quality of products and design. Total 71 Manipuri women handloom artisan got opportunity to develop their skills and capacity under this initiative.
It should be mentioned that the above activities have implemented under the project of Women Economic Leadership (WEL) Project in October, 2014 with support from Oxfam GB. ECDO have implemented this Project at Adampur Bazar of Kamalgonj under Moulvibazar district and in Manipuri concentrated areas under Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) of Bangladesh. The whole project was guided by noted fashion designer Mr. Chandra Shekhar Saha as consultant. On 8 April, 2015, just six months later the Exposition on Manipuri Hand loom was held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), Khamar Bari, Farm gate, Dhaka. Many prominent fashion designers, well-known artists, researchers, Media personnel and others were present in that occasion. The exposition showcased different handloom and textile products made by the Manipuri women with traditional motifs and designs. The exposition opened for all on 9 April, 2015 and drew a diverse crowd. Different leading TV Channels and media of our country coverage the news of this exposition as a successful achievement of ECDO and many fashion-conscious people and people who do research in fashion admired this event a lot.
The impact of this initiative of ECDO was immense. After receiving that training, the quality of Manipuri handloom product particularly the Shari and Orna jumped remarkably. The price of the product increased ten times along with the quality and design also. As a result, the popularity and market demand of the Manipuri handloom products increase so much that at present; most of the artists have to work day-night to meet the rising market demand. On the other hand, the income of the Manipuri artist has reached at an acceptable stage which also ensures their status in the family as well as in the society. This also affects their personal well-being, as now Manipuri women are very actively engaged in income generating activities along with men and become self-dependent. They can add extra income in their family by earning and can manage their children’s educational expenses, ensure nutrition as well as fulfill other demands of their children. Through the exhibition, the art of traditional Manipuri handloom was commercially presented for the first time to the mainstream audience. The visitors were able to observe better designs and art of the Manipuri handloom as well as they learn how this art is inherently blended with the Manipuri cultures, traditions and lifestyles. By engaging with the activities of handloom sector, a large number of Manipuri women can effectively involve in income generating activities and become financially empowered. Moreover, this attempt of ECDO helps to improve the quality as well as preserve the uniqueness of many years old tradition of Manipuri handloom.
