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			{{Short description\|Naga ethnic group native to the Northeast Indian state of Nagaland}}
	{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2018}}		{{Use dmy dates\|date=August 2018}}
	{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2018}}		{{Use Indian English\|date=August 2018}}
	{{Infobox ethnic group		{{Infobox ethnic group
	\|group = Phom		\| group = Phom Naga
	\|population =		\| population = 52,682 (2011)
	\|region1 = ~~Nagaland, India~~		\| region1 =
	\|pop1 = ~~54416 (2011)~~		\| pop1 = Longleng district [[Nagaland]], India
	\|ref1 = <ref>https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html</ref>		\| ref1 = <ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706082737/http://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html\|url-status=dead\|archive-date=6 July 2018\|title=Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}</ref>
	\|languages = [[Phom language]]		\| languages = [[Phom language]]
	\|religions = [[~~Christianity]]~~		\| religions = [[Protestantism]]
	~~\|related = Other [[Naga tribes~~]]		\| footnotes =
	\|footnotes =
	}}		}}
			{{Naga people}}
			[[File:Phom Warrior in action.jpg\|thumb\|left\|150px\|A Phom artist is performing at the Hornbill Festival, 2025]]
			The '''Phoms''' are a [[Naga people\|Naga]] [[ethnic group]] native to the [[Northeast India]]n state of [[Nagaland]]. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of [[Konyak people\|Konyak]] in the north-east, the [[Ao Naga\|Ao]] in the west and the [[Chang Naga\|Chang]] in the south. Phoms celebrate several festivals in a year of which Monyiü is the biggest. It is celebrated from April 1 to 6 every year. Other traditional festivals include Moha, Bongvüm and Paangmo. They primarily inhabit the [[Longleng district\|Longleng District]].

	~~'''~~Phom''' is ~~a [[Naga people\|Naga tribe]] from Nagaland, India~~. ~~Their traditional territory lies between~~ the ~~territories~~ of ~~[[Konyak people\|Konyak]] in~~ the ~~north-east,~~ the ~~[[Ao Naga\|Ao]] in~~ the ~~west and~~ the ~~[[Chang Naga\|Chang]]~~ in the ~~south~~. ~~Yongnyah~~ is the ~~largest Phom village~~.		A distinguished traditional Phom dish called 'Anphet' is famed among the community. It is especially made during the Monyiü festival and is of great cultural importance. One of the most significant occasion of the Phom Nagas is the celebration of "Phom Day" on June 6. It is celebrated every year commemorating the Peace Making Day that was signed in June 6, 1952 marking an end to all head hunting practices and enmity among the Phom Nagas. This day is also declared as public holiday for the Phoms by the state government.

	== Economy ==		== Economy ==
			[[File:The making of traditional pottery by the Phom of Nagaland, Northeast India. Published in EAZ 57, 2023.jpg\|thumb\|Traditional pottery of the Phom Nagas.]]
	Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms~~, and the tribe~~ practices [[jhum cultivation]]. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5">{{cite book \| title = Encyclopaedia Of North-east India Vol# 5 \| author = Ved Prakash \| year = 2007 \| publisher = Atlantic \| isbn = 978-81-269-0707-6 \| pages = 2129–2131 }}</ref>		Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms. They practices [[jhum cultivation]]. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5">{{cite book \| title = Encyclopaedia Of North-east India Vol# 5 \| author = Ved Prakash \| year = 2007 \| publisher = Atlantic \| isbn = 978-81-269-0707-6 \| pages = 2129–2131 }}</ref>

	== Origin ==		== Origin ==

	The origin of the Phoms, like that of other Naga ~~tribes~~, is uncertain. ~~One oral tradition of the Phoms, like~~ that of the Ao Nagas, states that their ancestors originated from stones.<ref name="Braja_Identity_2005">{{cite book \| title = Naga Identity \| author = Braja Bihari Kumara \| publisher = Concept \| year = 2005 \| isbn = 978-81-8069-192-8 \| page = 54 }}</ref> They also believe that their ancestors ~~migrated to Mt. Yungnyü~~ (a ~~mountainous Hill~~ in Longleng ~~district~~) and ~~from their~~ separated to different villages.{{~~citation needed~~\|date=~~August 2018~~}}		The origin of the Phoms, like that of other [[Naga people]], is uncertain. Some folklores similar to that of the [[Ao Naga\|Ao Nagas]], states that their ancestors originated from stones.<ref name="Braja_Identity_2005">{{cite book \| title = Naga Identity \| author = Braja Bihari Kumara \| publisher = Concept \| year = 2005 \| isbn = 978-81-8069-192-8 \| page = 54 }}</ref> They also believe that their great ancestors lived in Yingnyiüshang (a mountain in Longleng) and separated to different villages following a saga in the Yingnyiü hills significant to the Phom's history.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=PTI \|date=2023-12-04 \|title=Mystical Tale of Yingnyushang - Pride of the Phom Nagas \|url=https://nagalandtribune.in/mystical-tale-of-yingnyushang-pride-of-the-phom-nagas/ \|access-date=2024-02-26 \|website=Nagaland Tribune \|language=en-US}}</ref>

	== Culture ==		== Culture ==
			Phom culture, tradition and language is closely related to the [[Konyak Naga]]s of Nagaland and the [[Wancho Naga]]s of [[Arunachal Pradesh]].

	=== Clothing ===		=== Clothing ===
			After the advent of Christianity, many modern Phoms have adopted contemporary clothing, though traditional dress is worn during festivals. The traditional Phom dressing was indicative of the social status of the wearer. The ordinary clothing included a white (''vihe-ashak'') or a dark blue (''nempong-ashak'') shawl-like body wrap. A man who had [[headhunting\|taken a head]] or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (''fanet-henyü''). The women used to wear skirts called ''shung-nang'', which came in different colors, designs and bands.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>
	After the advent of Christianity, many modern Phoms have adopted contemporary clothing, though traditional dress is worn during festivals. The traditional Phom dressing was indicative of the social status of the wearer. The ordinary clothing included a white (''vihe-ashak'') or a dark blue (''nempong-ashak'') shawl-like body wrap. A man who had [[headhunting\|taken a head]] or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (''fanet-~~henyu~~''). The women used to wear skirts called ''shung-nang'', which came in different colors, designs and bands.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>

	=== Practices ===		=== Practices ===
			Before arrival of Christianity, like the [[Konyak people\|Konyaks]] and the [[Chang Naga\|Chang]], they used to expose the dead bodies on raised platforms instead of burying them.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>
	~~Like~~ the [[Konyak people\|Konyaks]] and the [[Chang Naga\|Chang]], they ~~bury their~~ dead ~~in the ground~~.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>

	== Festivals ==		== Festivals ==
			The Phoms have four major festivals, the most important of which is Monyü. The others are Moha, Bongvüm and Paangmo.<ref name="tuensang_nic_fest">{{cite web \| url = http://tuensang.nic.in/Phom.htm \| title = The Festivals of Phom Tribe \| publisher = Tuensang District Administration \| access-date = 2011-10-25 }}</ref>

	~~The Phoms have 4 major festivals, the most important of which is Monyü. The others are Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo.<ref name~~=~~"tuensang_nic_fest">{{cite web \| url~~ = ~~http://tuensang.nic.in/Phom.htm \| title~~ = ~~The Festivals of Phom Tribe \| publisher~~ = ~~Tuensang District Administration \| access-date~~ = ~~2011-10-25 }}</ref>~~		=== Monyiü ===

	=~~== Monyü ===~~

	Monyü is the most important traditional festival of the Phoms. It is a 12-day festival, which marks the end of winter and onset of summer (usually 1–6 April). The festival involves community feasting, dancing, singing and social work (such as repairs and construction of bridges). During the festival, the men present their married daughters or sisters with pure [[rice beer]] and special food to show their affection and respect.		Monyü is the most important traditional festival of the Phoms. It is a 12-day festival, which marks the end of winter and onset of summer (usually 1–6 April). The festival involves community feasting, dancing, singing and social work (such as repairs and construction of bridges). During the festival, the men present their married daughters or sisters with pure [[rice beer]] and special food to show their affection and respect.

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2021-08-04T17:36:18Z

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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
|group = Phom
|population =
|region1 = Nagaland, India
|pop1 = 54416 (2011)
|ref1 = <ref>https://www.censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-16.html</ref>
|languages = [[Phom language]]
|religions = [[Christianity]]
|related = Other [[Naga tribes]]
|footnotes =
}}

'''Phom''' is a [[Naga people|Naga tribe]] from Nagaland, India. Their traditional territory lies between the territories of [[Konyak people|Konyak]] in the north-east, the [[Ao Naga|Ao]] in the west and the [[Chang Naga|Chang]] in the south. Yongnyah is the largest Phom village.

== Economy ==

Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the Phoms, and the tribe practices [[jhum cultivation]]. The Phoms also have a tradition of pottery, bamboo work and spinning.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5">{{cite book | title = Encyclopaedia Of North-east India Vol# 5 | author = Ved Prakash | year = 2007 | publisher = Atlantic | isbn = 978-81-269-0707-6 | pages = 2129–2131 }}</ref>

== Origin ==

The origin of the Phoms, like that of other Naga tribes, is uncertain. One oral tradition of the Phoms, like that of the Ao Nagas, states that their ancestors originated from stones.<ref name="Braja_Identity_2005">{{cite book | title = Naga Identity | author = Braja Bihari Kumara | publisher = Concept | year = 2005 | isbn = 978-81-8069-192-8 | page = 54 }}</ref> They also believe that their ancestors migrated to Mt. Yungnyü (a mountainous Hill in Longleng district) and from their separated to different villages.{{citation needed|date=August 2018}}

== Culture ==

=== Clothing ===

After the advent of Christianity, many modern Phoms have adopted contemporary clothing, though traditional dress is worn during festivals. The traditional Phom dressing was indicative of the social status of the wearer. The ordinary clothing included a white (''vihe-ashak'') or a dark blue (''nempong-ashak'') shawl-like body wrap. A man who had [[headhunting|taken a head]] or offered feasts had the privilege to wear a cowrie-ornamented shawl (''fanet-henyu''). The women used to wear skirts called ''shung-nang'', which came in different colors, designs and bands.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>

=== Practices ===

Like the [[Konyak people|Konyaks]] and the [[Chang Naga|Chang]], they bury their dead in the ground.<ref name="Ved_NE_Ency_5"/>

== Festivals ==

The Phoms have 4 major festivals, the most important of which is Monyü. The others are Moha, Bongvum and Paangmo.<ref name="tuensang_nic_fest">{{cite web | url = http://tuensang.nic.in/Phom.htm | title = The Festivals of Phom Tribe | publisher = Tuensang District Administration | access-date = 2011-10-25 }}</ref>

=== Monyü ===

Monyü is the most important traditional festival of the Phoms. It is a 12-day festival, which marks the end of winter and onset of summer (usually 1–6 April). The festival involves community feasting, dancing, singing and social work (such as repairs and construction of bridges). During the festival, the men present their married daughters or sisters with pure [[rice beer]] and special food to show their affection and respect.

One or two days before the festival, its arrival is signaled by beating log drums with a distinct tune called ''Lan Nyangshem''. The priests or the village elders predict whether the festival would bring a blessing or a curse.<ref name="tuensang_nic_fest"/>

; Day 1 (''Shongten-Laiphen'')
: Overall preparation is done for the festivities. Households participate in collection of wrapping leaves and bamboos.

; Day 2
: Brewing of rice beer.

; Day 3 (''Aiha Okshok'')
: Feasting, dancing and merry-making.
The second day is for compulsory brewing of all kinds of rice beer.

; Day 4 (''Chingi Okshok'')
: General festivity and arrival of guests from neighbouring villages.

; Day 5 (''Paangmohah'')
: Parties of men wear colorful costumes and indulge in drinking, dancing and celebrating with friends.

; Day 6
: Elders feast by exchanging pure rice beer and meat. The young villagers feast together at the outskirts of the village.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Naga tribes}}
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Naga people]]
[[Category:People from Longleng district]]

Phom Naga - Revision history

FernBenes17766 at 15:13, 2 February 2026

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