The Phoms are a Nagaethnic group native to the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland. They primarily inhabit the Longleng District of the state. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of Konyak in the north-east, the Ao in the west and the Chang in the south. They celebrate several festivals in a year but Monyiü is the greatest among them which is celebrated from April 1 to 6 every year. Other traditional festivals include Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo.
A distinguished Phom dish called 'Anphet' is famed during Monyiü festival and is of great cultural importance. Another significant occasion for the Phom Nagas is the celebration of “Phom Day” on June 6 every year commemorating the Peace Making Day that was signed in June 6, 1952 marking an end to all head hunting practices and enmity among the Phom Nagas. This day is also declared as public holiday for the Phoms by the state government.
Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms. They practices jhum cultivation. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.[2]
OriginEdit
The origin of the Phoms, like that of other Naga people, is uncertain. One oral tradition of the Phoms, like that of the Ao Nagas, states that their ancestors originated from stones.[3] They also believe that their ancestors migrated to Mt. Yungnyü (a mountainous Hill in Longleng district) and from their separated to different villages.[citation needed]
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 head or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (fanet-henyü). The women used to wear skirts called shung-nang, which came in different colors, designs and bands.[2]
PracticesEdit
Before arrival of Christianity, like the Konyaks and the Chang, they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them.[2]
FestivalsEdit
The Phoms have four major festivals, the most important of which is Monyü. The others are Moha, Bongvüm and Paangmo.[4]
MonyüEdit
Monyü 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.[4]
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.
ReferencesEdit
^"Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India".[dead link]
^ abcVed Prakash (2007). Encyclopaedia Of North-east India Vol# 5. Atlantic. pp. 2129–2131. ISBN978-81-269-0707-6.
^ ab"The Festivals of Phom Tribe". Tuensang District Administration. Retrieved 25 October 2011.
October 21, 2023
phom, naga, phoms, naga, ethnic, group, native, northeast, indian, state, nagaland, they, primarily, inhabit, longleng, district, state, their, traditional, territory, lies, between, territories, konyak, north, east, west, chang, south, they, celebrate, severa. The Phoms are a Naga ethnic group native to the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland They primarily inhabit the Longleng District of the state Their traditional territory lies between the territories of Konyak in the north east the Ao in the west and the Chang in the south They celebrate several festivals in a year but Monyiu is the greatest among them which is celebrated from April 1 to 6 every year Other traditional festivals include Moha Bongvum and Paangmo Phom NagaTotal population52 682 Longleng district estimation Nagaland India 1 LanguagesPhom languageReligionProtestantism chiefly Baptist Related ethnic groupsOther Naga peopleA distinguished Phom dish called Anphet is famed during Monyiu festival and is of great cultural importance Another significant occasion for the Phom Nagas is the celebration of Phom Day on June 6 every year commemorating the Peace Making Day that was signed in June 6 1952 marking an end to all head hunting practices and enmity among the Phom Nagas This day is also declared as public holiday for the Phoms by the state government Contents 1 Economy 2 Origin 3 Culture 3 1 Clothing 3 2 Practices 4 Festivals 4 1 Monyu 5 ReferencesEconomy EditAgriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms They practices jhum cultivation The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery bamboo work and spinning 2 Origin EditThe origin of the Phoms like that of other Naga people is uncertain One oral tradition of the Phoms like that of the Ao Nagas states that their ancestors originated from stones 3 They also believe that their ancestors migrated to Mt Yungnyu a mountainous Hill in Longleng district and from their separated to different villages citation needed Culture EditPhom culture tradition and language is closely related to the Konyak Nagas of Nagaland and the Wancho Nagas of Arunachal Pradesh Clothing Edit 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 head 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 2 Practices Edit Before arrival of Christianity like the Konyaks and the Chang they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them 2 Festivals EditThe Phoms have four major festivals the most important of which is Monyu The others are Moha Bongvum and Paangmo 4 Monyu Edit 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 4 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 References Edit Census of India Website Office of the Registrar General amp Census Commissioner India dead link a b c Ved Prakash 2007 Encyclopaedia Of North east India Vol 5 Atlantic pp 2129 2131 ISBN 978 81 269 0707 6 Braja Bihari Kumara 2005 Naga Identity Concept p 54 ISBN 978 81 8069 192 8 a b The Festivals of Phom Tribe Tuensang District Administration Retrieved 25 October 2011 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Phom Naga amp oldid 1177720980 Monyu, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
