Northeast IndiaNortheastFestivals

Nagaland · Phek · Chakhesang Naga

Chizami

The weaving village of Phek — home of Chizami Weaves, a women-led loin-loom livelihood project.

A jhum farmer at work in Phek district, Nagaland
A jhum farmer in Phek district — the farming landscape around Chizami. — Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

Overview

Chizami is a Chakhesang village in Phek district best known for Chizami Weaves, a livelihood initiative run with the North East Network that works with several hundred women weavers across Chizami and more than a dozen nearby units.[1],[2]

The weavers are farmers first: most weaving happens between April and October around the agricultural calendar, on traditional backstrap and loin looms.[1],[2],[3]

History

The Chizami Weaves project has run for over a decade, turning household loin-loom weaving into a documented, fairly-paid rural enterprise and a reason for travellers to stop in Phek district.[2],[3]

Culture & cultural significance

Chakhesang textile motifs are clan- and status-coded; the project keeps traditional patterns in production while adapting formats for contemporary buyers.[1],[2]

Festivals

  • Tsükhenye

    Late January

    Chakhesang festival observed across the Chokri area.

Lifestyle, cuisine & handicrafts

Cuisine

  • Chakhesang smoked pork
  • Millet preparations
  • Fermented bamboo shoot
  • Wild greens with axone

Handicrafts

  • Chakhesang loin-loom shawls and stoles
  • Chizami Weaves textiles
  • Bamboo craft

Things to do

  • Watch a loin-loom weaving demonstration and meet the weavers
  • Buy directly from Chizami Weaves rather than a city retailer
  • Village and terrace-field walks in the Chokri belt

How to reach

By air
Dimapur (DMU), ~150 km.
By rail
Dimapur (DMV).
By road
Reached from Kohima via the Pfütsero–Phek road; a hired vehicle is the practical option.

Best time to visit: October to April for travel; April–October is the active weaving season.

Nearby attractions & villages

  • Pfütsero

    Nagaland's highest town, on the same road.

  • Khezhakeno

    Naga origin-legend village in the same district.

  • Phek town

    District headquarters.

Related villages

Responsible travel guidelines

  • Buy at the stated price — the project's model is fair payment to weavers.
  • Ask before photographing women at the loom.
  • Weaving slows during peak farm months; confirm visits in advance.

Frequently asked questions

Can visitors see weaving in Chizami?
Yes — Chizami Weaves hosts visits and demonstrations, though weavers are also farmers, so contact them ahead to confirm timings.[1],[2]

Sources

  1. [1]Chizami Weaves — official site
  2. [2]North East Network — Chizami Weaves sustainable livelihood project
  3. [3]The Morung Express — Chizami Weaves at ten years

Facts on this page are cross-checked against tier-1 (Government of India), tier-2 (state government & tourism boards) and tier-3 (district administration, official festival organisers) sources. Wikipedia is used as a tie-breaker only. Where sources disagree, the page states the ambiguity rather than picking a side.

Last verified 2026-07-29. Facts on this page were confirmed against tier-1/2 sources on that date.

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