Kiren Rijiju said on 17th August, 2021,

“These Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh were not recognised correctly by the Constitution of India. Finally, Gazette notification is published by the Ministry of Law and Justice.
Monpa, Sajolang(Miji), Sartang, Memba, Nocte, Tangsa, Tutsa, Wancho, Tai-Khampti, Mishmi- Kaman (Miju), Idu(Mishmi), Taraon (Digaru Mishmi).”

Congratulations for Identity! Congratulations on correct Nomenclature! Congratulations for recognition!

In this vast world, there are still many far away from the urban context who still ask to be referred to by their right context. There are many identities that communities get attributed to over the passing time. Only those who live within the framework of their community know what they should be called. Kudos to those who bring forward the matching sentiment to the matching identity.

Here we stand in solidarity through this Sari made by Tai Khampti weavers of Arunachal Pradesh. The weaves were made by the women of the tribe out of their own will, on their land, with encouraging compensation, supervised by the local family, providing livelihood over more than five years to those women who were either in the elderly years, single mothers, unemployed or untrained in weaving. The weave is a full bodied drape to pallu intricate and dense weave of a motif locally called “kes”.

The weaves are crafted using cotton yarn brought over from Tamil Nadu into these plains regions of Arunachal Pradesh. Tai Khampti community hails from a resilient lineage. It is believed that they made their way into the present day inhabitation through Myanmar crossing Namdapha forest range over days of walking, crossing rivers and clearing thick jungles.

They came with their asset of elephants and the knowledge of how to train elephants. With these two bounties of their lineage, they stepped into this land and once upon the time were believed to be the most prosperous communit, owing to their skill with elephants and timber production. With the ban on timber trade, many families lost their standing wealth.

They had also carried with them their precious delicious Tai Khampti rice as well as two precious herbs. Along with all this, it is believed they carried their looms, oral stories as well as technique to weave.

These skills still remain and give pride and sustenance to many men and women.

Khampti means “place of Gold”. And indeed living with this community reflected that their lineage brings forward this space like a place of Gold.

The fragrance of Tai Khampti rice, a great fortune to experience.

To pay homage to the beautiful weaves of Tai Khampti tribe, I extended the canvas to Eri Silk. Both ivory white and warp-weft mix of turmeric and ivory white. Also added to the canvas are solid plains from Malkha.