Chizami's Naga women weave a revolution with tradition

A model village in Nagaland, Chizami is setting an example in sustainable farming and women rights for other villages

People from neighbouring states come down to learn the 'Chizami model' of development to this tiny Naga village. Chizami's is a story of Women's Rights and Sustainable Farming. A group of marginalised women came together to show the world that will, hard work and dedication can turn the world around.

Chizami village is perched amid the hills of Phek district in Eastern Nagaland. There are about 3,000 people in the village and just about 600 households and all are involved in cultivation. In 1994, Monisha Behal, a women's rights activist came to Nagaland to work towards improving women's health standards. She met Naga women and found the need to better their health conditions. This was the time when Nagaland was coming out of conflict after six long decades. Seno, a Naga woman from Chizami and a teacher joined hands with Behal to bring about revolutionary changes to the lives of Naga women in the village.

Chizami Weaves was started in 2008 to blend tradition and business together. It was aimed at creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the marginalized women in the district as well as preserve the unique textile tradition of Nagaland. Starting with seven weavers, Chizami Weaves today has a strong network of more than 300 women in Chizami and 10 other villages in Phek district.

It all started with skill enhancement programmes such as bamboo craft, food processing, organic farming, rooftop water harvesting and low-cost sanitation. Women were also given workshops on governance, women empowerment and human rights. A massive change came about in January 2014. After striving to get women the recognition they deserved, the village council passed a resolution for equal wages for agricultural labour. In 2015, another milestone was achieved with the induction of two women as members in the Enhulumi village council.

The artisans have diversified into products such as stoles, cushion covers, belts, bags, mufflers, coasters, table mats and runners that are now shipped to emporiums in New Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai. Now, the women are working towards bringing back-millet based bio diverse agriculture to preserve their sensitive environment. Today, the small town in visited by many to learn sustainable living and earn a living.

OneIndia News