Manipur: Naga artisan celebrates state bird with stunning necklace

Ukhrul: Nikedulu Mekrisuh, a homemaker from Jessami village in Ukhrul district, has crafted a symbolic piece of jewellery to celebrate Mrs Hume’s Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae) and highlight Jessami’s community-led conservation efforts.

Also known as Nongin, this rare and elusive bird is Manipur’s state bird and holds significant ecological and cultural value in the region.

Dr Weyepe N Mekrishu, a conservationist and native of Jessami, said the necklace was endorsed by the Jessami Village Council and unanimously approved by the Jessami Women’s Society during their assembly on April 20, 2024.

The initiative coincides with the creation of Jessami Hume’s Pheasant Community Reserve, inaugurated by wildlife photographer and Roundglass Sustain and Sony India ambassador Dhritiman Mukherjee on January 23, 2024.

Located about 116 km north of Ukhrul and 135 km east of Kohima, Nagaland, the reserve is considered the world’s first and only community-based conservation reserve dedicated exclusively to the Hume’s Pheasant.

Speaking to EastMojo, Mekrisuh said Mrs Hume's Pheasant is a divine gift to the people of Jessami, one that must be cherished for its priceless value. Her inspiration comes from deep appreciation and her husband’s conservation work, guiding her to create a symbol of heritage and environmental stewardship.

“Wearing this necklace during cultural and ceremonial occasions is more than a gesture; it becomes a powerful expression of awareness, unity, and pride. It honours our bond with nature and strengthens ecotourism initiatives in Jessami. The necklace reminds society of our shared responsibility to protect and preserve this unique legacy,” she said.

In addition to the necklace, Mekrisuh has created earrings and a hair band, showcasing the beauty of this unique legacy.

The necklace features 122 carefully selected beads, each reflecting the vibrant and distinctive appearance of Mrs Hume’s Pheasant. Materials include natural stones for grey and black beads, bone or shell for white structural pieces, and plastic or glass for vibrant colour accents.

“Each bead and its placement symbolise a part of the bird. The necklace is more than art; it narrates conservation and community values,” Mekrisuh said. Every bead embodies principles of protection, preservation, community involvement, and awareness.

Mrs Hume’s Pheasant Necklace is a powerful symbol of hope, pride, and the call for all generations to actively protect Jessami’s natural heritage.

Also Read: How Manipur’s border village Jessami became a wildlife tourism hotspot