Growing up in Umden, surrounded by Eri silk and the quiet, patient work of weaving, textiles became familiar from an early age. Kiniho continues to navigate challenges around market linkages, consistent supplies of quality raw materials and greater awareness of Eri silk. For a country as culturally diverse as India, preserving such connections is not simply about keeping old techniques alive. “Handloom is more than a textile – it is a part of our nation’s legacy, identity, and cultural heritage,” she says. And through Kiniho, Mallai is trying to ensure that the threads of Meghalaya’s past are not left behind; but woven into its future.