Ruwang’s initiative “Mangpli” exhibited along with Indigenous traditional objects at Dhaka Makers 2024.

Ruwang Collective Arts showcased the “Mangpli” initiative in the second edition of the Dhaka Makers exhibition alongside numerous artists. This initiative, based in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, focuses primarily on promoting Indigenous artists, art, and culture. During the exhibition, Ruwang Collective Arts showcased the “Journey of Light,” a photo project under the Mangpali initiative. This collective photo story, captured by students from Kinitheu School in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, documents their daily lives using five old digital compact cameras. The photographs beautifully depict scenes of their surroundings, lifestyle, school experiences, and activities such as walking through waterfalls, exploring mango orchards, participating in hostel kitchen duties, and fetching water from streams. The Mangpli project specifically aims to empower Indigenous children by introducing them to photography as a means of sharing their untold stories. This exhibited indigenous traditional materials and objects such as Plung , ornaments and attires, were a collaborative effort involving Ruwang Collective Arts, Hill Resource Center, and Kinitheu/ChotoBela, featuring the creative contributions of students like Rengchgang Mro, Prengi Mro, Thangpre Mro, Menya Mro, Nguiing Mro, Fraylingeng Khumi, Khingrung Mro, and Paiyen Mro.