Phom Naga
| Regions with significant populations | |
|---|---|
| Nagaland, India | 13,000 (1960) |
| Languages | |
| Phom language | |
| Religion | |
| Protestantism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Other Naga tribes | |
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.
Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms, and the tribe practices jhum cultivation. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.
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.
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.
Like the Konyaks and the Chang, they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them.
The Phoms have 4 major festivals, the most important of which is Monyu. The others are Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo.
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.
The second day is for compulsory brewing of all kinds of rice beer.
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Wikipedia