Meghalaya is taking steps to develop its traditional arts, crafts and indigenous cultural practices into new tourism attractions, with the State government identifying 11 villages as living heritage centres to promote cultural preservation and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the initiative was part of the government’s broader strategy to expand the State’s tourism potential by showcasing its rich cultural identity and traditional knowledge.
He was speaking at the inauguration of the two-day State-level Living Heritage Arts and Crafts Village Festival, organised as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas at the State Central Library Complex on Tuesday.
Sangma said the government intended to develop new tourism destinations beyond established locations such as Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong and Dawki by promoting villages with distinctive cultural traditions and indigenous practices.
The 11 identified villages have been provided financial assistance of Rs 1.15 lakh each and represent various traditional practices, including handicrafts, textiles, music, food and folklore. These include Wahkhen, known for its ‘Weavers of the Mountain’ initiative and its recognition as a Heritage Musical Village.
He said the initiative aimed to develop distinct identities and brands around traditional practices, enabling visitors to experience Meghalaya’s cultural heritage while creating economic opportunities for local communities.
UK-based buying, sourcing and product development consultant Natasha Benharoosh, who was associated with the curation of the store, highlighted the potential of Ryndia silk and the growing contribution of women artisans in building sustainable businesses.
She said Meghalaya’s traditional and sustainable production methods could offer valuable lessons to the global fashion industry.
The programme also witnessed the release of several publications documenting the State’s cultural heritage and history. These included the Arts and Craft Booklet and Nature’s Architecture: A Coffee Table Book on the Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya, published by the Department of Arts and Culture.
Three other books released on the occasion were The Coinage of Jaintiapur by S K Bose and N G Rhodes, When Hills Move: How the Hill State of Meghalaya Was Made Without Spilling a Drop of Blood by Dr Amanda Tongper, and Bravehearts: The Legacy of Freedom in Meghalaya by Dr Daiarisa Rumong. The latter two publications are associated with the Sauramandala Foundation.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated the renovated State Central Library under the National Mission on Libraries and the ‘House of Ryndia’, an initiative of the Department of Textiles aimed at promoting Meghalaya’s traditional Eri silk.
