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The Matchless Longpi Black Pottery

Some say, best stories are those that exhibits the rich and effervescent chronicle of any place and its people. One such wondrous tale is that of the captivating Longpi black pottery, one of the best kept treasures from the mesmerizing “jeweled land” of Manipur. Paradisiacally tucked away in mother nature’s lap, Manipur is home to one of the most prepossessing craftsmanship – Longpi Hampai pottery or the famous black pottery of Manipur.

Longpi (Nungbi) is made up of two villages – Longpi Kajui and Logpi Khullen, in the Ukhrul district of Manipur. The chief artisans are the Tangkhul Naga tribe, who have made a mark   with its black earthenware. One of the most incredible features of this craft is that it is created without a potter’s wheel. No machines, electricity or chemicals are used in the making process. All shaping is done with the hand and with the help of molds. As the story goes, the residents of Ukhrul district of Manipur credit the origins of this craft to Goddess Panthoibi, who is the mother of artifact-making, representing a process towards creation.

It was also called ‘Loree Hamlei’ or ‘royal pottery’ because only the royalty and the rich of Manipur could afford it. They used these pots to cook food especially during special occasions like marriages.

Longpi pottery is made from a mixed paste of ground black serpentine stone and special brown clay, which is found only in Longpi village. After the pots are shaped, polished and sun dried they are heated in a bonfire and thereafter polished with a special tree leaf locally called Chiron Ni. The black color of Longpi ham is a result of polishing the heated earthen pots with the tree leaf. One of the main advantages of using black potteries is that it can be used on the gas stove as well as firewood and have no adverse health effects.

Fashioned by the Tangkhul Naga tribe of Longpi (Loree) village in Manipur, the stone pot is ideal to slow cook meat and lentils, and also to store food.

Backed by rich and immortal antiquity, the Longpi Hampai pottery is an awe-inspiring evidence of mesmeric craftsmanship, molded by the virtues of pragmatic use and ingeniousness.



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