• Gangmumei Kamei

Entrepreneurship based on cultural materials has become an important part of generating income and livelihood for many artisans. This paper explores the various entrepreneurial traits and risk profile of female indigenous entrepreneurs belonging to the Kabui (Rongmei) tribe who are mainly settle d in the Indian state of Manipur. For the study, twenty female indigenous entrepreneurs were chosen from the age group of 20 to 50 years. The categories of entrepreneurs were divided into three groups: weaving traditional attires, ornaments and traditional food and beverages. It was observed that most of the female indigenous entrepreneurs were highly self-motivated with the spirit of uplifting cultural values and creating a sustainable source of income. Though risk of failure could impact them financially, they felt less threatened by failure due to the belief that cultural materials and its products are widely consumed and valued by the community. Strong networking mainly with the immediate customer and intermediaries could be seen widely across all the three categories. Willingness to expand the entrepreneurial endeavours and generating informal jobs for the semi-skilled artisans were also highlighted by the entrepreneurs.

Indigenous entrepreneurship, traits, risk, sustainability, cultural materials.

"Entrepreneurial traits and risk profile of female indigenous entrepreneurs of Kabui (Rongmei) tribe of Manipur: A case study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 1, page no.200-205, January-2017, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701B36.pdf

"Entrepreneurial traits and risk profile of female indigenous entrepreneurs of Kabui (Rongmei) tribe of Manipur: A case study", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.4, Issue 1, page no. pp200-205, January-2017, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1701B36.pdf