The Indigenous Art of Pottery Production among the Angami Nagas of Khuzama Village, Nagaland

Abstract

The Nagas have long been known for making refined, high-quality earthen pots. Among the Angami Nagas, Khuzama village, of the southern Angami group, was particularly renowned, producing pottery in large quantities and with outstanding skill and craftsmanship. Making earthen pots demands considerable physical strength and is labor-intensive work, as the pots were locally handmade without the use of potter’s wheels. The village potters used only simple, hand-made tools that were readily available; they had no machinery. Even so, the quality of their work was never compromised, and the potters produced good-quality, refined pots that were renowned, widely distributed, and in high demand. The art of pottery production was primarily managed by women, who shaped and molded the clay into crafted pots; men assisted with some physical labor. The traditional knowledge involved in pottery making has been lost, as the craft is no longer actively practiced in the village, for reasons discussed below. The younger generation is currently indifferent to this craft. Only a few surviving skilled potters are alive at present, and with their passing, the rich cultural heritage, traditional knowledge, and craft will be lost forever. The author also participated in pottery production, since photographs, videos, and documentation alone are not sufficient; hands-on experience of learning the craft step by step proved essential. Therefore, documentation of the craft as well as learning it from a skilled potter is necessary to preserve and carry forward the rich culture and tradition of Khuzama pottery.