International Journal of Social Science Research (IJSSR)

Entrepreneurship Among Tribal Women Artisans: A Case Study of Bell Metal Workers of Pichola Village, Arunachal Pradesh

Entrepreneurship, in a simple sense, is to organize, develop, or run any business with the motive of profit-making. Traditionally, the rural economy of tribal inhabited regions of Arunachal Pradesh is driven by agriculture. The tribal women in Arunachal Pradesh are known for their expertise in weaving and basketry, but their involvement in any form of metallurgy is not very popular. Pichola is a small village in the south-eastern fringe of Papum Pare District, mostly inhabited by a tribal population belonging to the Nyishi community. The tribal artisans of this village practice the art of making bell metal ornaments, which is exclusive to Pichola and a few adjoining villages in the context of Arunachal Pradesh. Bell metal craft is a popular art form in other regions of the country, such as Chhattisgarh and Assam. These artisans produce traditional ornaments that have great cultural and social significance in the tribal society. The womenfolk largely practice this art form and can be considered their primary source of livelihood. It can potentially strengthen the rural economy, particularly for the womenfolk, making them economically self-reliant. This study is an attempt to explore the art of bell metal craft as well as the women artisans as entrepreneurs who have developed their skills and art into a promising business. The study is primarily based on first-hand information acquired through field visits, personal interviews and observations. Keywords: Bell metal craft, Pichola village, Tribal women artisans, Women entrepreneurs.