The Thlanlampuon is a traditional mourning cloth of the Hmar tribe, deeply rooted in their cultural expression of grief and reverence for the departed. The name Thlanlam derives from the Hmar words “thlan” meaning grave and “lam” meaning path or way, literally translating to “the path to the grave” - or more evocatively, “the final path.” The cloth is primarily worn by women during periods of mourning, symbolizing collective sorrow and respect for the dead. Traditionally, the entire village or community would accompany the coffin to the burial site, and the women’s group, dressed in Thlanlampuon, would follow in solemn procession. The cloth thus embodies this shared passage - the symbolic path walked by both the living and the departed before the soul’s final rest.
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| A woman wearing the traditional Thlanlampuon |
Reflecting its solemn purpose, the Thlanlampuon is woven predominantly in black or deep indigo, colours that signify mourning and eternity in Hmar belief. Its design is minimalist yet profound, featuring horizontal stripes of white, green, and orange crafted through the extra-weft technique. Each hue carries layered meaning - white for purity of spirit, green for the continuity of life, and orange for remembrance. The understated palette and rhythmic composition distinguish it from the more vibrant festive textiles such as the Hmaram or Thangsuopuon.
Handwoven on a backstrap loom, the Thlanlampuon reflects the artistry and precision of Hmar women weavers. Rather than serving as a shroud, it is worn during funeral processions and mourning observances, symbolizing communal empathy and spiritual accompaniment. Even today, it retains deep ceremonial significance - worn or displayed during funerals and memorial gatherings to honour the departed and reaffirm the Hmar philosophy of remembrance.
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The Thlanlampuon endures as both textile and testimony - a woven elegy of grief, The Thlanlampuon is a traditional mourning cloth of the Hmar tribe, deeply rooted in their craftsmanship, and the timeless human journey between life and death.
Design and Technical Features of Thlanlampuon
The Thlanlampuon is a traditional mourning cloth of the Hmar tribe, notable for its austere beauty and deep cultural symbolism. Traditionally woven on a loin loom using hand-spun cotton yarn, contemporary versions now use mill-spun cotton or synthetic threads, yet the traditional patterns and techniques remain faithfully preserved.
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| Thlanlampuon |
The cloth’s base is black, representing mourning and the solemn dignity of farewell. Running horizontally across the fabric are narrow stripes in white, orange, green, and grey, evenly spaced to create a calm rhythm that mirrors the reflective tone of mourning rituals.
Along the upper border, intricate supplementary weft patterns are woven into the black field - not stitched, but formed during the weaving process. In these motifs, the white threads are deliberately extended outward for several inches (the hanging weft), giving the surface a textured, expressive quality. This feature is unique to the Thlanlampuon and symbolizes the unfinished threads of life - the connection between the living and the departed that extends beyond death.
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The fabric is rectangular and full-length, designed to be wrapped around the body by women during mourning. Despite modern adaptations in material, the Thlanlampuon continues to embody its original spiritual purpose - representing the final path and the collective journey of the community as they bid farewell to the departed.
Region of Origin:
The Thlanlampuon originates from Manipur, particularly in Hmar-inhabited areas, and is worn by Hmar communities across Mizoram, Assam, Meghalaya, and Tripura.
