‘Mekhela Wednesday’ brings tradition for office wears at NU Medziphema

Nagaland University’s School of Agricultural Sciences (SAS), Medziphema Campus, continues to celebrate “Mekhela Wednesday”, a weekly initiative that blends tradition with workplace camaraderie.
According to PRO Nagaland University, for the past two years, women faculty and staff have embraced the practice of wearing traditional mekhelas every Wednesday, transforming it into a meaningful midweek ritual.
More than a fashion statement, Mekhela Wednesday is a mission-driven movement aimed at preserving the art of loinloom weaving and supporting local weavers. “When we wear mekhelas, we’re more likely to buy them — and by buying, we empower the weavers in countless ways,” said Associate Dean of Students, Prof. J. Longkumer. She emphasized that the initiative has also strengthened bonds among campus women, who stay connected through a WhatsApp group named “SAS Super Girls.”
On August 6, a mini exhibition-cum-sale was organized on campus to support a small enterprise, “the perfect_weaves”, run by two sisters and four sisters-in-law from Naga United Village, Chümoukedima. The group had prepared 50 mekhelas for a cancelled exhibition, leaving them uncertain about their prospects. In a show of solidarity, the university invited them to showcase and sell their work during the lunch break.
The event turned into a vibrant gathering, with women faculty, scientists and project assistants coming together to support the entrepreneurs. The initiative not only provided financial relief to the weavers but also reinforced the campus’s commitment to sustaining traditional crafts.
Mekhela Wednesday has become a symbol of cultural pride and collective empowerment. It reflects a growing awareness of the importance of indigenous textiles and the livelihoods they support. As Prof. Longkumer noted, “Mekhela is not just a garment — it is a link to the past, present, and future. It is the fabric of sisterhood.”