From Looms to Livelihoods: Manas Weavers Strengthen Traditional Craft

Guwahati, 14 August 2026: In Gwthwibari village on the fringes of the famed Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, the rhythmic movement of household looms carries more than the making of fabric. For indigenous women of the greater Manas landscape, weaving remains closely tied to identity, tradition and livelihood.

Thirty such weavers recently came together to strengthen that craft through a 15-day Product Development Workshop (PDW), held from July 30 to August 13 at Gwthwibari village in Baksa district of Assam.

The workshop was the fifth in a series of PDWs organised by Aaranyak under Project THREAD, which is being implemented in partnership with WWF-India and Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group (GEAG), with co-funding support from the European Union.

Through the initiative, Aaranyak seeks to strengthen sustainable livelihood opportunities for indigenous communities living in the Manas landscape while helping traditional handloom practices continue and adapt to changing times.

Over the course of the workshop, the participating weavers worked on different aspects of product development, including design, weaving techniques, colour combinations and finishing. Particular emphasis was placed on value addition—helping artisans refine their products without losing the distinctive identity of traditional Bodo weaving.

The participants were encouraged to explore contemporary designs and colour palettes that could appeal to wider markets while allowing the cultural character of their handloom traditions to remain at the heart of each product.

An important moment during the programme came on August 9, when a yarn distribution programme was organised at the residence of Hagaram Basumatary in Gwthwibari. Each of the 30 participating weavers received three kilograms of premium-quality cotton yarn.

The support was intended to ensure that the learning did not end with the workshop. With yarn in hand, the women can now return to their household looms, practise the techniques they have learnt and gradually translate new ideas into finished products.

Speaking to the weavers during the programme, Manas Kr. Bhattacharjya, Assistant Director, Conservation Livelihood Division (CLD), Aaranyak, underlined the importance of maintaining quality in handloom production. He encouraged participants to make effective use of the high-quality yarn and experiment with contemporary designs and colour combinations while preserving the traditional character of Bodo handloom.

The workshop was therefore envisioned as more than a short-term training programme. It sought to create a space where artisans could learn, experiment and build the confidence needed to develop products with the potential to reach larger markets. The provision of yarn formed an important part of this process, helping bridge the gap between training and actual production.

For communities living in conservation landscapes such as Manas, strengthening locally rooted livelihoods can also contribute to a broader relationship between people, culture and the landscape they call home. Traditional weaving, passed through generations, offers one such pathway—where cultural continuity can move alongside new livelihood opportunities.

The workshop and associated activities were conducted under the guidance and support of Dr. Deba Dutta, Deputy Director, Rhino Research Conservation Division (RRCD), Aaranyak, who has been supporting the planning and implementation of livelihood initiatives under the programme.

Technical support for the PDW was provided by Project Coordinator Swapan Kumar Das, Master Trainer Nandeswar Deka, Junior Designer Darsana Boro, Textile Expert Arjun Kumar Hazarika, Master Trainer Bijoy Boro, and Community Development Executive Raj Khungur Daimary.

As the 15-day workshop concluded, the looms of Gwthwibari carried forward a simple idea at the heart of Project THREAD: strengthening livelihoods need not mean leaving tradition behind. Sometimes, it can begin by giving an old craft new possibilities while keeping its roots firmly intact.