Tribal Design Forum's Kohima Bootcamp Brings Together Experts to Empower Nagaland's Tribal Communities

The Tribal Design Forum is organizing a three-day bootcamp at ‘The Heritage’ in Kohima to collaboratively explore how art, design, and technology can benefit the tribal communities of Nagaland. This event aims to foster a deeper understanding of these fields through case studies, workshops, film screenings, showcases, and group discussions, leading to more informed awareness among practitioners and policymakers envisioning the growth of tribal communities in Nagaland.

Experts from various states of the country will participate as guest speakers in this three-day boot camp. Notable speakers include Hetvi Trivedi, a GI expert from Gujarat; Abhijit Sinha from Bangalore, focusing on ‘Project Design Education for Yourself; Architect Ankush Chandran from the Kamla Raheja Vidyanidhi Institute for Architecture and Environmental Studies in Mumbai; Rida Goteph and Gopal Krishnan from Dakti Craft in Meghalaya; and Daniel Syiem  from Design for North East India.

During the boot camp, a distinguished panel discussion will feature prominent speakers, including Padma Shri recipient Sentila Yanger; MLA Hekani Jakhalu Kense and Asenla Walling from the Department of Industry and Commerce of the Nagaland Government; Veyielo Doulo from the Department of Tourism; and Reny Wilfred, Joint Secretary of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland. Additionally, H. Alongse Sangtam, Joint Director of the Department of Employment, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship, along with APP Menguzelie Suhu, Secretary and Ex-Officio Director Kovi Meyase, will grace the panel with their esteemed presence.

Participants from various states will join Nagaland's designers, gaining insights not only from discussions and workshops but also experiencing a glimpse of  Naga culture and its rich heritage.

Tribal Design Forum is India’s only community of multidisciplinary designers and creative professionals from various tribes of India. The forum seeks to explore how design and other creative activities could help the tribal communities – economically, socially and culturally.

Since 2021, the Tribal Design Forum has been organizing weekly online interactions with domain experts across sectors who either belong to indigenous communities or have been working for the benefit of indigenous communities not just in India but across the world – the basic purpose is to create an awareness amongst the members of the tribal communities in India of the global best practices, case studies, success stories and more importantly about other tribal communities and indigenous cultures.

The boot camp organized by the forum is part of this effort, where designers, stakeholders, and experts from various subjects can engage in meaningful discussions that benefit the local community culturally, economically, and intellectually.

This boot camp in Kohima is being held in collaboration with Textile Designer Margret Zinyu and her label "Woven Thread" . This is the second edition of the TDF boot camp,the first edition was held in Tejgadh, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Bhasha Research and Publication Center at the Adivasi  Academy. The next, third edition of the boot camp will take place in Ukhrul, Manipur, from October 6 to October 8, in collaboration with Ishi. Further details about the boot camp can be found at www.tribaldesignforum.com