Phom Naga
Encyclopedia
Phom is a Naga tribe
from Nagaland, India. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of Konyak in the north-east, the Ao in the west and the Chang
in the south. Yongnyah is the largest Phom village.
. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.
or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (fanet-henyu). The women used to wear skirts called shung-nang, which came in different colors, designs and bands.
, they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them.
One or two days before the festival, its arrival is signaled by beating log drums with a distinct tune called Lan Nyangshem. The priests or the village elders predict whether the festival would bring a blessing or a curse.
Day 1 (Shongten-Laiphen)
Day 2
Day 3 (Aiha Okshok)
The second day is for compulsory brewing of all kinds of rice beer.
Day 4 (Chingi Okshok)
Day 5 (Paangmohah)
Day 6
Naga people
The term Naga people refers to a conglomeration of several tribes inhabiting the North Eastern part of India and north-western Burma. The tribes have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority ethnic group in the Indian state of Nagaland...
from Nagaland, India. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of Konyak in the north-east, the Ao in the west and the Chang
Chang Naga
Chang is a Naga of Nagaland, India. It is one of the recognized Scheduled Tribes.The tribe was also known as Mazung in British India. Other Naga tribes know the Changs by different names including Changhai , Changru , Duenching , Machungrr , Mochumi and Mojung .- Origin :According to oral...
in the south. Yongnyah is the largest Phom village.
Economy
Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms, and the tribe practices jhum cultivationJhum cultivation
Jhum or Jhoom cultivation is a local name for slash and burn agriculture practiced by the tribal groups in the northeastern states of India like Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland and also in the districts of Bangladesh like Khagrachari and Sylhet...
. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.
Origin
The origin of the Phoms, like that of other Naga tribes, is uncertain. One oral tradition of the Phoms, like that of the Ao Nagas, states that their ancestors originated from stones.Clothing
After the advent of Christianity, many modern Phoms have adopted contemporary clothing, though traditional dress is worn during festivals. The traditional Phom dressing was indicative of the social status of the wearer. The ordinary clothing included a white (vihe-ashak) or a dark blue (nempong-ashak) shawl-like body wrap. A man who had taken a headHeadhunting
Headhunting is the practice of taking a person's head after killing them. Headhunting was practised in historic times in parts of China, India, Nigeria, Nuristan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Borneo, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Japan, Micronesia, Melanesia, New Zealand, and the Amazon Basin, as...
or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (fanet-henyu). The women used to wear skirts called shung-nang, which came in different colors, designs and bands.
Practices
Like the Konyaks and the ChangChang Naga
Chang is a Naga of Nagaland, India. It is one of the recognized Scheduled Tribes.The tribe was also known as Mazung in British India. Other Naga tribes know the Changs by different names including Changhai , Changru , Duenching , Machungrr , Mochumi and Mojung .- Origin :According to oral...
, they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them.
Festivals
The Phoms have 4 major festivals, the most important of which is Monyu. The others are Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo.Monyu
Monyu is the most important traditional festival of the Phoms. It is a 12-day festival, which marks the end of winter and onset of summer (usually 1-6 April). The festival involves community feasting, dancing, singing and social work (such as repairs and construction of bridges). During the festival, the men present their married daughters or sisters with pure rice beer and special food to show their affection and respect.One or two days before the festival, its arrival is signaled by beating log drums with a distinct tune called Lan Nyangshem. The priests or the village elders predict whether the festival would bring a blessing or a curse.
Day 1 (Shongten-Laiphen)
- Overall preparation is done for the festivities. Households participate in collection of wrapping leaves and bamboos.
Day 2
- Brewing of rice beer.
Day 3 (Aiha Okshok)
- Feasting, dancing and merry-making
The second day is for compulsory brewing of all kinds of rice beer.
Day 4 (Chingi Okshok)
- General festivity and arrival of guests from neighbouring villages
Day 5 (Paangmohah)
- Parties of men wear colorful costumes and indulge in drinking, dancing and celebrating with friends.
Day 6
- Elders feast by exchanging pure rice beer and meat. The young villagers feast together at the outskirts of the village.