Weaving: Nagaland (Südak)

Weaving is a method of textile production in which two distinct sets of yarns or threads are interlaced to form a fabric or cloth. Well, while there is no recorded history of how and when weaving among the tribes began, they have their own stories and legends about this practice.

According to the folklore of the Ao Naga tribe, a woman called Longkongla initiated the tradition of weaving. Said to have magical powers and a special link to the supernatural world, she is believed to have started the tradition of weaving to separate the clans from each other. In Ao Naga language, it is known as ’südak’ which means weaving (sü meaning cloth and dak meaning to weave).

According to a legend among the Yimchunger Nagas, the art of weaving and spinning was learnt from the realm of spirits. Each Naga tribe now has its own colour and motif code, which represents its distinct identity.

Source - PRM Archives

Courtesy: @otsuclothingco on Instagram.