Traditional Craft, Modern Market: Reviving “Khon Mu-ke” Dolls in Jowai, Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 21, 2024

The Society for Urban and Rural Empowerment (SURE), in partnership with the Meghalaya State Skill Development Society (MSSDS), is bringing a fresh approach to youth skill training. “We don’t want to offer the usual training programs. Instead, we’re focused on reviving and innovating traditional crafts,” said Dr. H.H. Mohrmen, head of SURE. Their latest initiative is a one-month training program aimed at reviving the traditional Pnar doll, known as “Khon Mu-ke.” The training was held at SURE’s centre in Jowai.

The initiative was inspired by Dr. Mohrmen’s memories of his late sisters making dolls as children. “Every culture has its own tradition of doll making, and we want to preserve ours through the Khon Mu-ke,” he added. The dolls are dressed in traditional Pnar attire, such as “khyrwang,” “thoh-saru,” and “muka,” adorned with local ornaments. According to master trainer Ibaphimon Shylla, these unique features are what make the dolls stand out in the market.

Ibaphimon Shylla, a fashion designer, collaborated with SURE and her sister Niwanka, a project coordinator, to develop this project. Using waste materials from her tailoring shop, they aim to produce cost-effective dolls available in three types: regular dolls, hanging dolls, and keychain dolls. The team already sees a market for these products in souvenir shops and tourist spots and plans to leverage online platforms for wider reach.

The training has sparked interest among the 30 participants. Lina Timung from Barato village expressed optimism about starting her own doll-making business using materials from her family’s tailoring shop. As the trainees began sharing their creations on social media, the response was overwhelmingly positive, indicating a promising market for these traditional dolls.

This initiative not only revives a cultural heritage but also opens up new business opportunities for local communities, blending tradition with modern entrepreneurship.