Tripura’s traditional tribal attire ‘risa’ gets GI tag: CM Manik Saha

• The traditional tribal attire of Tripura too has also been bestowed with the recognition of GI Tag, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said in Agartala on Sunday.

Risa Textile:

• It is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment and also as headgear, a stole, or a present to express respect.
• It is woven in colorful designs and has a crucial social and religious significance.
• Adolescent Tripuri girls are first given a risa to wear in an event called Risa Sormani, around age 12 to 14.
• Religious relevance: The risa is used in religious festivals such as Garia Puja by tribal communities, a turban by men during weddings and festivals, a cummerbund over the dhoti, a head scarf by young girls and boys and a muffler during winters.
• It is presented as a mark of honour to distinguished recipients.
• Risa is common in almost all 19 indigenous tribal communities of Tripura.
• The traditional Tripuri female attire consists of three parts — risa, rignai and rikutu.
• Risa is a handwoven cloth used as a female upper garment.
• Rignai is primarily worn as the lower garment and literally means ‘to wear’.
• Rituku is mainly used as a wrap, or like a ‘chunri’ or a ‘pallu’ of the Indian saree. It is also used to cover the heads of newly married Tripuri women.
• The complete Tripuri attire is claimed to have originated even before the time of the Manikya kings, who ruled Tripura for over 500 years starting from the 15th century.

Prelims Takeaway

• Risa Textile
• GI tag