Arts and Crafts of Nagaland

Nagaland, with its bountiful resources, makes it excel in the tradition of arts and craft through the ages. There is a wide array of workmanship on household things and the object d'art which require care and effort. The delight of the workmanship can be found on the baskets, weaves, wood carves, pottery, metal work, jewellery and bead works. Village gates, house posts and Morungs which are found in most part of Nagaland is a true workmanship. Morung are guardhouses, recreational clubs and centers of education used as an important ceremonial purpose. Morung may vary in function and size from tribe to tribe. The pillars of Morung are adorned and carved with human figures, tigers, elephant, horn bills, pythons and other designs.


¤ Basketry

The cane baskets of the Khonoma village and of the Khiamngan weavers in the Tuensang District are known for their intricate weaves which takes much effort to be made. Fine bamboo and cane strips are also made into headgear and mats. These baskets are well known for their utility as well as for aesthetic value. Over the years, when the popularity and the demand of the weaves grew, the entrepreneurs have started to utilize the skills and sell it in the local as well as the outside market.


¤ Weaving

In Nagaland, spinning and weaving is an exclusive monopoly of the women. Colourful shawls, bags and jackets are woven out of this workmanship. The commonest loom for weaving among these women is the 'back strap' or the loin loom, though the fly shuttle loom has also recently become popular. The natural dyes used by them are extracted from barks, roots and plants. Each tribe use distinguishing colors and motifs often based on tribal folklore.


¤ Woodcarving

Woodcarving is another work of artistry in the blood of Naga people. It can be explained under three heads namely headhunting, decoration of the Morungs (man's communal houses) and funerary images erected. Though most of the tribes have skills in woodcarving, the Wanchos, Konyaks and Phom tribes are the finest wood-carvers in this genre. Nowadays, this craft has been commercialized and these craftsmen have been able to use their skill to generate income for themselves.


¤ Pottery

The pots made by them are generally very simple and mainly made for its functional value rather than aesthetics although some of the designs and the motifs found in these pottery have been inspired by the design of the textiles. The pots of villages of Tseminyu and Ungma are well known in the region. First, the pot is made out of the pottery wheel, then the pot is heated and finally rice water is boiled to remove the taste of the baked clay and ensure durability.


¤ Metal Work

Some of the items made by the tribes are spears, chisels, ornaments and items of utility. These are also made till now by the local blacksmith. Nagas are attached to their weapons and it might be because their survival in the past dependent on this skill. These weapons are different in shape and pattern from tribe to tribe. Among all the tribes, the Rengmas are considered the best blacksmiths.