L for Longpi Pottery

Think of pottery and what comes to mind is a potter sitting at a wheel and moulding his pots into a desired shape. But here is the story of pottery craft without the pottery wheel.Pottery is one of the major craft cum-occupations in Manipur. The Tangkhul tribe of Manipur that resides in Nungbi village use only their hands to shape their unique product–Longpi pottery, or black pottery.The art of Longpi pottery is said to have been passed down from the Neolithic period. Even though agriculture is the major source of livelihood throughout the year, pottery has a very significant value in their life. People are engaged in pottery throughout the year except during Luira Phanit (seed sowing festival).What makes Longpi pottery distinct is not only the fact it is made only with hands it is also because of its colour–black. It is often referred to as the black gold of Manipur!In the past, the privilege of owning black pottery pieces was restricted to the wealthier class of society..The products are made from a mixed paste of ground black serpentine stone and special brown clay which is native to only the Longpi village. The dull brown mixture is then kneaded and flattened on a wooden board for the initial slab work. All the shaping is done by hand and using special moulds. Once the clay has dried, it is baked in a fire for nearly seven hours where it cooks at 900 degrees centigrade. The items are then taken out and rubbed with a local leaf known as ‘machee’ (pasania pachyphylla) that gives it a unique texture and finish.Don't mistake the black colour to be some added chemical. It blackens while firing the serpentine black stone. The final colour of Longpi is a result of polishing the heated earthen pots with the local tree leaf.To enhance the already beautiful craft, the handles or the knobs of the cups are covered with lace of fine cane..Manipur folklore advocates cooking in it for tastier and more nutritious food. One can cook at high temperatures, for hours, without the food getting burnt.These deft potters manage to make a wide variety of products with their bare hands– water pots (chamkha in Tangkhul dialect), phampai (cookers), tengot (kokthi), cups, khoram (water pots), etc. Earthenware in almost all sizes and shapes are possible in this highly labour-intensive process.The Tangkhul Naga tribe believes that Goddess Panthobi is the mother of artefact making. The Longpi pottery is used in performing important customs during occasions like marriage and birth. It's also said that it prevents morning sickness for pregnant women.Over time, with the change in the structure of society, these activities have been commercialised. The economic aspect of the craft and the profitability of practising it has become one of the major factors that the craft still exists..This craft can easily be adapted to city life since it is microwave-friendly and can be used on the gas stove too. The pot takes a while to heat up, but at the same time retains the heat for a longer time than regular cookware. They are easy to clean with a mild soap solution. The export market has welcomed the craft with open hands. The craft that originated as a ritual is now catering to a luxury market, dotting homes across the world today.Longpi pottery has even gained popularity in countries like Australia, Sweden, Germany, and the United States.The entire process is quite laborious–the reason why the younger generation has stayed away from taking the legacy of this ancient art form forward. In the village, you will find the older generation, especially women, still practising this craft..It is only when we see these crafts do we know and understand them better! So, travel to these tiny centres of craft will not only give you and your family an immersive experience of our rich craft heritage but also give a sense of confidence to the craftsperson that the goods she/he produces are valuable. The pride thus generated will ensure that the artisan will continue in some way to keep the tradition alive.Getting to NungbiYou can visit Nungbu and meet the Tangkhul tribe. The closest airport is Imphal and the nearest railway station is located at Dimapur of Nagaland. It is located about 38 km from Ukhrul town on the Ukhrul-Jessami road NH150.

L for Longpi Pottery

Related Stories