Longpi Black Pottery

Longpi pottery, also known as Longpi Ham, is a traditional Indian craft from the Longpi Khullen and Longpi Kajui villages in Ukhrul district, Manipur. Crafted mostly by the Tangkhul Naga tribe, Longpi pottery stands out for its deep black color and velvety matte finish, achieved through age-old methods unique to this region.

Longpi pottery’s roots stretch back to the Neolithic period, with oral traditions attributing its origins to local deities. Historically, these pots played key roles in ritual ceremonies and daily life. Longpi pots were highly valued, often reserved for royalty or important occasions such as births and marriages. The craft, once confined to clan usage, is now a symbol of ethnic pride for the Tangkhul community, passed down through generations.

What distinguishes Longpi pottery is its material and process. Artisans use a blend of weathered rock and serpentine stone, both sourced locally, crushed and mixed at an exact 5:3 ratio with water. No potter’s wheel is used—each piece is hand-shaped or molded. Once dry, items are heated in open bonfires at high temperatures, then polished with local leaves like machee, giving them their signature slick surface. Final products may feature woven cane details for added grip and decoration. Longpi pottery’s heat retention, rustic beauty, and connection to Manipuri heritage set it apart from mass-produced alternatives.

Photo Courtesy: Sachii Tripathi