Manipur: Amid conflict, women artisans eye e-commerce to preserve state’s vanishing crafts
Guwahati: Despite the sustained ethnic strife in Manipur, a group of women artisans of the state are hell-bent on shaping up their focused tasks, and everything goes smoothly in their endeavours.
From their localised markets and modest work places in the remote corners of the state, they have now acquired the e-commerce skills, and once they complete certain formalities and guidelines prescribed by the government, they will stand qualified for entering the global market.
What is more amazing is that most of these women are now accustomed to operate computer and digital handlings to smoothen their e-commerce accomplishments.
This trend will undoubtedly transform the crafts’ promotion and business dynamics and preserve the dying traditional artistries.
The force behind this game-changing effort is Soubam Luxmibai Devi, winner of the US State Department’s Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) 2022.
Devi (36), transformed the crafts landscape after organising a month-long series of programmes under the banner of e-nupikeithel, a transformative initiative supported by AIFF, U.S Consulate General, Kolkata.
The moniker of this smart initiative “nupikeithel” means women’s market.
The programmes empowered the women artisans of Manipur with digital, e-commerce, product design, sustainability and scientific intervention skills.
Over 20 women artisans took part in it which aimed to preserve the state’s rich heritage of eight unique ethnic dying crafts by educating them in digital media, e-commerce and product quality as well as sustainability.
Deep-coloured fabrics like Shaphee Lanphee and Lashingphee, glossy black pottery of Nungbi in Ukhrul district, brick red pottery of Andro in Imphal East, red ochre pottery of Nongpok Sekmai in Thoubal, red ware pottery of Chairel in Kakching, greyware pottery of Ningthemcha Karong in Imphal West and wood carving of Tangkhul are such dying crafts.
Significantly, Shaphee Lanphee, the rare traditional hand-woven textile has its historical roots as it was handed over to the warriors after they came victorious in fights as a bravery award by the rulers of Manipur during ancient times.
The programmes covered a comprehensive range of topics, including digital marketing and branding, leveraging social media for brand promotion and customer engagement, packaging - product and shipping, managing logistics for efficient operations, quality control, legal compliances and government schemes for artisans to equip participants with the skills needed to thrive in the online marketplace.
“Apart from e-commerce, the workshop also addressed crucial aspects of sustainable craft practices like food safety practice and basic principles of handloom and handicrafts - sustainable dyeing and artisanal techniques,” Devi, an Imphal resident, said on Tuesday.
“By equipping the artisans with e-commerce, product design and sustainability skills, the project empowers them to bypass geographical limitations, reach a global audience and secure fair compensation for their work. This not only strengthens their economic independence but also fosters the continuation of these unique crafts, ensuring their place in Manipur’s vibrant cultural tapestry,” she added.
The programme also enriched the artisans’ understanding of product design through various sessions.