Nagaland:
Nagaland is a vibrant hill state Located in the extreme North Eastern End of India, bounded by Myanmar in the East; Assam in the West; Arunachal Pradesh and a part of Assam in the North with Manipur in the south. It offers rich incomparable traditional and cultural heritage. The Distinctive character and identity of each tribe in terms of Tradition, custom, language and dresses is clearly discernible to the visitors. The respective tribal festivals are celebrated at interval all over the State.

The State of Nagaland was formally inaugurated on December 1st, 1963, as the 16th State of the Indian Union. It is bounded by Assam in the West, Myanmar (Burma) on the east, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam on the North and Manipur in the South. The State consists of seven Administrative Districts, inhabited by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. Each tribe is distinct in character from the other in terms of customs, language and dress.

It is a land of folklore passed down the generations through word of mouth. Here, music is an integral part of life; folk songs eulogizing ancestors, the brave deeds of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love songs immortalizing ancient tragic love stories; Gospel songs that touch your soul (should you have a religious bend of mind) or the modern tunes rendered exquisitely to set your feet a-tapping.

Each of the 16 odd tribes and sub-tribes that dwell in this exotic hill State can easily be distinguished by the colorful and intricately designed costumes, jewellery and beads that they adorn. The present generation of Nagas has ventured into fashion designing in a big way, reproducing fabrics that represent the ancestral motifs blended with modern appeal. Indeed, it is a beautiful mix of the past with the present a paradise for those who are into designing. This is an affluent fashion station of the East.

The traditional ceremonial attire of each tribe is in itself, an awe inspiring sight to behold; the multicolored spears and daos decorated with dyed goats hair, the headgear made of finely woven bamboo interlaced with orchid stems, adorned with boar's teeth and hornbill feathers, elephant tusk armlets…etc. In days of yore every warrior had to earn each of these items through acts of valor, to wear them.

Transformation and challenges:
The Naga society is undergoing tremendous transformation. The spread of Christianity, the growth of education and developmental programmes undertaken by the government has all unleashed forces, which are churning up the tribal society and rapidly changing its complexion and character. The modern set up of detached nuclear families is fast catching up with the Nagas as they have greater intercourse with the modern world. This is leading to the erosion of the role of the clan and the village as agents of social control.

Objectives:
The objective of this work is to bring the past into the modern, to enter into the still unknown treasures of the past and bring them into life, to promote the things which are getting lost, to translate the findings into forms and tell the stories which are getting lost through contemporary furniture.

Case Study Downloads:
Kraftemporary - Contemporary Furniture - pdf