The story
Handloom weaving is Manipur's largest cottage industry, and almost every Meitei home in the Imphal valley has a loom worked by women. Wangkhei in Imphal East is known for fine Wangkhei Phee cloth and Moirang in Bishnupur for Moirang Phee with its temple-like border. Three Manipuri textiles were registered as GIs together in 2013-14.
In numbers
About 2.5 lakh weavers in Manipur produce traditional handloom textiles such as phanek, innaphi and rani, mainly women across Imphal, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Senapati (October 2025).
Manipur: State Economy and Industries (IBEF) · 2026Manipur ranks among the top five states by number of looms, and handloom is its largest cottage industry.
Manipur: State Economy and Industries (IBEF) · 2026Shaphee Lanphee (371), Wangkhei Phee (372) and Moirang Phee (373) were registered as GIs in 2013-14.
Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India) · 2026
GI tag
- Shaphee LanpheeApplication no. GI Application No. 371Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
- Wangkhei PheeApplication no. GI Application No. 372Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
- Moirang PheeApplication no. GI Application No. 373Registration Details of Geographical Indications (GI Registry, IP India)
Ways in for a newcomer
- Online and direct sale of GI Manipuri textiles
- Yarn, dye and loom-part supply
- Design and stitching of garments from handloom cloth
- Women weaver collectives and aggregation
Problems the cluster faces
- Power-loom and imported copies
- Disruption from unrest in the state
- Low wages for home weavers
Businesses to start here
Handloom and Handicrafts Retail Shop →Shawls, Stoles, Scarves and Wraps →Handloom Gamcha (Loin Cloth) →Regional Speciality Products E-commerce Marketplace →Textile Made-Ups (Napkins, Mats, Aprons) →