Tribal hand woven fabrics of Manipur
- Part 18 -
By: Mutua Bahadur *
ORIGIN OF DESIGN IN MYTH
In their cloths, the tribal people of Manipur create designs based on things they find in their surroundings, such as creatures, animals, birds, rivers, etc. as well as in myths of origin of the tribe concerned. The designs are tessellated in geometrical forms, mainly in angles and squares. The designs are very colourful and distinctly bright. The motifs in the cloths of some tribes are very much similar.
Sometimes, similarity is found in all respects except for the difference in colour patterns. The designs are the unique artistic development of a tribe though it may have diffused to neighbouring tribes. A borrowed design may later on be claimed by the recipients as their own design. After a long time, the same designs may superficially represent cultural elements of different tribes as the core design is forgotten.
These designs usually have borrowed names and myths related to the origin of the art works. It is a consequence of the designs appearing first and of the legends associated with the design coming afterwards. Besides, the interpretation of the designs made by a tribe are not generally known by another tribe due to geographical distance between their habitats and lack of good communication.
The Thadou in Churachandpur District use the designs brought from outside Manipur to interlace with their cloths and the designs include ornamental, curve and angular patterns (Fig. 164). The technique of weaving and design found in the cloth of the Sukte are different from other remaining tribes due to their late immigration and habitation in Manipur. Their technique, designs and fabric skills remain distinct and discrete (Fig. 124, 125, 153).
Though the Kabui have many traditional cloths, the contents of meaningful designs concerning their world view is very much limited. The motif called Long Kouna Pui is the sole conventional design for all of their cloths. Some painting designs found on the verandah wall of Talangkai (Kabui traditional house), such as god’s mark or pattern of a flower known as Thangkapong (as known to the Kabui at Langthabal Khoupum) or Kanei (as known at Imphal) or Thengka (as known at Khoupum Tampak) are not at all found in the cloths of the Kabui. But similar designs as just described are found in the cloth of the Chothe, thePurum, theAimol, theVaiphei, theTarao, thePaite, theHmar, theMizo and the Ralte.
Designs in angular forms enclosing four diamond patterns, making a set of design, are commonly seen in the cloths belonging to the Thadou, the Purum (Kom), the Aimol
See a gallery photo of Tribal hand woven fabrics of Manipur here.
To be continued ....
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* Mutua Bahadur contributes to e-pao.net regularly. This article was webcasted on January 06, 2014.
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