Weaving Identity: R Paringla Vashum on the Thangkul Naga Backstrap Loom

My name is R Paringla Vashum. I am from Ukhrul district, and I am a Thangkul Naga. I have been in this craft since 2002 — more than 22 years now.

I work the backstrap loom and make modern and traditional jewellery, and we weave our own traditional dresses — the sarongs and shawls. I learnt these skills from my mother and elder sisters, passed down through generations. It takes around one and a half months to fully weave a shawl or any major item.

Earlier, we sourced cotton from our own fields. Now we buy thread from local sellers in the state. Prices range from ₹1,500 to ₹15,000 depending on the piece — a table runner costs around ₹2,500, a cushion cover ₹1,500, and a traditional sarong or shawl between ₹12,000 and ₹15,000.

The biggest challenge we face is that people do not understand handcraft — why it takes time, and why it costs what it does. So we crafters often have no choice but to also sell cheaper machine-made items just to survive. My products are unique because they are handcrafted; you will not find anything like them anywhere.

I have my own students who have learned from me and are now earning their own livelihoods through this craft. I would love to pass this skill on to my children as well.

My message to the people of India: please buy from us and promote our crafts. Handloom and handicraft are difficult — that is why they cost more. Every purchase you make keeps a tradition alive.