Weaving the Future: Imlirenla Jamir and Naga Handloom in Mokokchung
Imlirenla Jamir
The question this story follows:
“Can Naga handloom survive as a livelihood in the age of machine-made textiles, or will the next generation of Mokokchung weavers find only exhibitions — and not enough buyers?”
Imlirenla Jamir has spent 15 years blending Naga traditional weaving with modern design — running a training centre in Mokokchung while taking her textiles to Surajkund and Delhi.
Imlirenla Jamir is a textile designer from Mokokchung, Nagaland, who has been working in handloom for 15 years. She learned the craft from her mother, sisters, and cousins — and she now runs a training centre for others who want to learn, with 25 skilled workers specialising in different areas of the weaving process.
Her textiles use a mix-medium approach: traditional Naga weaving combined with modern design touches, including bead work on mekhela garments. A single mekhela ranges from Rs 3,000 to Rs 12,000 and above. The biggest challenge used to be finding markets — that has improved considerably. She now participates in exhibitions across India, including at Surajkund, where buyers understand handloom and are willing to pay for it.
Imlirenla's message is unambiguous: stop buying machine-made textiles and support handloom. Without support, these skills will not survive — and the world will lose something irreplaceable.
Updates
Episode 1: Imlirenla Jamir — Naga Weaving Meets Modern Design
My name is Imlirenla Jamir. I am from Mokokchung district, Nagaland, and I am a textile designer specialising in handloom. I have been in this craft for 15 years.
I learned from my own family — my mother, sisters, and cousins. We also run a training centre for others who want to learn. We make mekhela in both traditional and modern styles, with 25 skilled workers specialising in different areas of the weaving process.
A single mekhela costs anywhere from Rs 3,000 to Rs 12,000 and above, depending on the design and complexity. What sets our textiles apart is the mix medium approach — traditional weaving blended with modern design touches, including bead work on the mekhela.
The biggest challenge used to be finding markets and getting our work in front of buyers. That has improved considerably — I have participated in exhibitions across India, including in Delhi and at Surajkund, where people are aware of handloom and willing to pay for it.
I will pass this skill to the next generation. My message to people across India: stop buying machine-made textiles and support handloom. Without your support, these skills will not survive — and the world will lose something irreplaceable.