The Laii Women Society successfully organised Shamayra Nhi: Handloom and Handicrafts Festival under the theme “Weave Your Story” at Laii (Vafiimai) Village, Senapati District, Manipur on Saturday, celebrating the village’s rich weaving traditions while highlighting women-led cultural and economic empowerment.
The festival, envisioned as a platform to preserve heritage and strengthen livelihoods, brought together artisans, community members, cultural enthusiasts, and invited dignitaries from across the region. Laii Village, known for its intricate handloom and handicraft traditions, continues to face challenges of limited exposure and market access for its artisans. Shamayra Nhi sought to bridge this gap by combining cultural storytelling with direct market opportunities.
The day-long festival featured exhibition stalls displaying woven fabrics, bamboo crafts, and traditional jewellery, live weaving demonstrations by master artisans, storytelling sessions on the origins of motifs, panel discussions aligned with the theme, and a vibrant cultural programme with folk activities and games.
Shamayra Nhi aims to create direct sales opportunities for artisans, enhance the visibility of Laii’s craft traditions on social and mainstream media, and strengthen the organisational capacity of the Laii Women Society. Organisers expressed hope that the festival will serve as a foundation for an annual cultural calendar, positioning Laii as an emerging craft hub in Manipur. Shamayra Nhi “Weave Your Story” stood as a celebration of identity, creativity, and community resilience, reinforcing the vital role of women in preserving living heritage and weaving a sustainable future for generations to come.
(With inputs from Aphy Zingkhai)
