Manipur, as one of the eight sisters of Northeast India, carry a rich heritage that is evident in their culture, traditional food, dance form, music and textile. The state is also characterized by the many tribal communities that inhabit the state, all possessing its own unique cultural attributes. These tribes are also dominant in its distinct identities, each providing a showcase of differing dialects, textile designs and ancestral roots to name a few.
The essence of these differentiating factors is what prompts the impetus of this research. The project aims to explore the various textile design elements, motifs and patterns, that carry in itself, rich cultural values and stories that bring definition to the tribes, their origin and the collective’s general way of life. These design elements are also representative of the tribal society and its practices which are given light under this study of tribe folklore and beliefs.