Background

Majuli, the world’s largest river island located in Assam, is a unique cultural landscape known for its rich heritage, biodiversity, and vibrant indigenous traditions. Home to various tribal communities—most notably the Mising tribe—Majuli has preserved centuries-old practices in handloom weaving and handicrafts, which are deeply embedded in the region’s social and spiritual life.

Weaving is an intrinsic part of Mising culture, traditionally performed by women within the household using indigenous looms and natural fibers such as cotton and Eri silk. Products like Mekhela Chadar, Ribi Gaseng, Eri scarves, and Galuk are crafted with distinctive motifs inspired by nature, folklore, and local beliefs. These motifs not only enhance aesthetic appeal but also carry symbolic meaning, making each product a reflection of Majuli’s identity.

Despite its cultural richness, the handloom and handicraft sector in Majuli remains underdeveloped due to limited infrastructure, fragmented production, lack of design innovation, and poor access to mainstream markets. Most artisans work in isolation, with low returns, inconsistent raw-material supply, and little exposure to contemporary demand or global trends.

Recognizing both the challenges and potential, the proposed project under the SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) framework seeks to revitalize Majuli’s handloom and handicraft ecosystem. The project will bring together over 750 artisans across 30 villages, uniting them under a structured cluster approach led by Rengam SPV, a local women’s collective. With support from Amar Majuli Foundation as the Implementing Agency and Arohan Inclusive Pvt. Ltd. as the Technical Agency, the project aims to establish a Common Facility Centre (CFC) to streamline production, introduce modern equipment, facilitate branding, and enable e-commerce and export readiness.

By bridging traditional knowledge with market access and entrepreneurship, the project envisions not only economic empowerment for local artisans but also global recognition for Majuli’s cultural craftsmanship, paving the way for sustainable, heritage-based rural development.