GI No. 588 – HMARAM

Hmaram is a beautiful traditional textile or handicraft good which originates from the state of Mizoram. It is an elaborately decorated textile of the Mizo tribe and is also one of the most popular textiles a Mizo woman is associated with. The design is very unique and have a deep root in the society, The Hmaram was skillfully crafted by the Mizo weavers. The Mizos were greatly aware of their surroundings and environments which can be seen in the way they expressed their ideas in the Mizo Puan.

The motifs and patterns in Hmaram were derived from the flora of the geographical area of Mizorarn, such as the Kawkpuizial motif inspired by the curled new shoot of an edible fern Kawkpui (Cyathea chinensis), lenbuangthuam motif derived from Lenbuang tree i.e. Griffrth’s Plum Yew (Cephalotaxus griffithii), Disul motif (Di is a plant under grass family).

Hmaram is a popular traditional cloth of the Mizo people. It is a small skirt, only worn by ladies and girls. The cloth is wrapped around the waist by tucking in at the waist to fasten it, covering the lower part of the body. It is commonly worn during festive dances and official ceremonies. The oldest patterned textile of the Mizo (Lusei) tribe, Hmaram is a single loom width fabric made from handspun indigo-dyed and natural white cotton. It is worn as a short skirt wrapped around the waist, tucked in on one side.