Long before the arrival of external faiths that branded native communities as “uncivilised” and sought to impose foreign cultural standards, the indigenous tribes of Northeast India—and across Bharat—lived in harmony with nature. They were self-sufficient, spiritually rooted, and materially inventive. The Tangkhuls of Nungbi are a shining example of this legacy. Their black pottery, untouched by modern machinery or even the humble potter’s wheel, is an art that traces its lineage back to the Neolithic era. It is an echo of an older world, preserved through the intuitive wisdom and lived knowledge of the community.
Crafted entirely by hand, Nungbi pottery is a marvel of indigenous innovation. Its primary ingredients—serpentine stone and clay—are sourced from the nearby forests. The stone is ground painstakingly into powder and mixed with water to create a malleable mixture. From this, hands—weathered by time and experience—mould kettles, teacups, bowls, and plates. Once shaped, the pieces are sun-dried and then fired using traditional techniques. The result is not just pottery; it is tradition fossilised in form, shaped by necessity and elevated by craftsmanship.
The aesthetic appeal of these black-hued earthenwares, with their deep matte finish and primal form, hides within them remarkable functionality. These vessels are durable, naturally non-toxic, and heat-retentive. Designed to be used directly over open flames or modern gas stoves, they embody sustainability without ever having used the word. What the world now calls ‘eco-friendly living’, the Tangkhuls have practised as a way of life for generations.
In Nungbi, around 200 families still depend on this craft as their main livelihood. The pottery, once confined to the domestic spheres of tribal life, is now reaching dining tables across India—and beyond. As the world reawakens to the value of heritage crafts and low-carbon lifestyles, this humble village stands proudly at the intersection of the ancient and the relevant.
What makes Nungbi pottery even more significant is the larger civilisational story it tells. For centuries, indigenous communities across Bharat lived in decentralised yet sophisticated ecosystems—self-governing, culturally rich, and in balance with nature. From food and clothing to art and architecture, every aspect of their lives was locally rooted and spiritually enriched. They did not require validation from foreign doctrines to know who they were. It was only with the arrival of colonial and missionary ideologies that these communities were labelled ‘backward’, their customs dismissed, their gods devalued, and their autonomy disrupted.
Yet, through all this, the soul of Bharat persisted—in its villages, its forests, its artisans, and its oral traditions. The black pottery of Nungbi is a testament to that undying soul. It is proof that indigenous knowledge systems are not relics of a forgotten past, but vibrant, living traditions with the power to guide our future.
As we look toward a more sustainable and authentic way of life, it is time to acknowledge and uplift the treasures within our own soil. The story of Nungbi is not just about craft; it is about cultural continuity, dignity in self-reliance, and the unmatched resilience of Bharat’s indigenous communities.
Let Nungbi’s black pottery remind us: before we were taught to doubt our roots, we lived richly by them. And the earth, shaped by loving hands, has always remembered.
