Visual Ethnography of Thangkul Tribe, Manipur, India

Client : IIT Bombay   

Category : Design Research. photography. writing

Year : 2015

Objective :

A visual ethnography project on the current clothing culture of Thangkul Tribe, Imphal, which throws light on how the balance of traditional, global and local influences shape the clothing culture and personal style.

process :

Participant Observation and Interviews documented as notes, photographs and sometimes sketches were the primary data collection method.

The pictures on the right are photographs of the same woman. She was resting, after work, at the market. When she noticed me clicking pictures, she slowly took out her dentures from the jar next to her and put it on. She then fixed her hair and smiled for another picture.

She said she looks more beautiful with the teeth

LOCATION :

Langol is situated in Imphal west district on the south western foothill of Manipur. It is about 18 km away from the capital of Manipur.

Outcome :

Current street style, uniforms, traditional clothing, beauty & makeup, markets, media influences were documented in a detailed ethnographic report.

Traditionally every Tangkhul woman possesses the knowledge of weaving. It is the mother’s responsibility to teach her daughter the art of weaving. Most of the households still use the loin looms to produce clothes and the women weave for the requirements of the house. It’s a common sight to see women sitting and weaving outside their homes after 11 in the morning, once the household works are settled.