Kohima: The Chakhesang Attire Regulatory Board (CARB) is cracking down on the misuse of tribal dress. Officials adopted these new regulations on May 20, 2025. They want to stop the misrepresentation of their customs and preserve their identity. These items carry deep stories about their way of life.
All Chakhesang attires and ornaments now hold Geographical Indication (GI) status. They fall under the protection of the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. The board warned that unauthorized changes are off-limits. They stated, "misuse, cultural appropriation and defamation of the traditional attires can be viewed very seriously and may even be brought under legal action."
Strict rules govern what you wear. You must keep original colors, hues, and patterns intact. Shawl motifs cannot appear on skirt designs. Never swap them. Specific gear belongs only to men or women, and merit wears remain restricted to those who earned them. Age matters, too. Married men cannot wear clothing meant for young boys.
No one can dream up new motifs and label them as traditional Chakhesang pieces. Any unauthorized designs are banned from national or international events. You need explicit approval from the CARB before showing off these items on a global stage.
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