India, Feb. 15 -- Northeastern tribal communities are replete with folklore - some of it almost forgotten now. A Naga folklore narrates that throughout the year, village maidens would weave men's shawls in the evenings after they were done with work in the khetis (rice fields where vegetables and fruits are also grown). Later in the year, after the harvest, when the season mellows into winter, celebrations begin. Soon icy fingers that chill the bone marrow embrace the earth. With the full onslaught of winter, warm woven shawls are dug out and families or the community light bright fires to sit around, wrapped in these shawls.

Just before winter sets in, young maidens present their newly woven shawls to the young men they admire. Soon win...