Women, Craft, And Culture: A Study Of Thongjao Pottery In Manipur

Abstract

Thongjao pottery is one of the most distinctive and enduring traditional crafts of Manipur, deeply rooted in the cultural history and social life of Thongjao village. Practiced primarily by women, this indigenous pottery tradition is characterized by hand-moulding techniques, the absence of the potter’s wheel, and the use of locally available natural resources. The present study examines Thongjao pottery as a living cultural practice shaped by indigenous knowledge systems, environmental conditions, and changing socio-economic realities. The study adopts an ethnographic and qualitative research approach, drawing on primary data collected through field observation, semi-structured interviews with potters, and oral histories, supplemented by secondary sources such as scholarly literature, government reports, and archival materials. The objectives of the study are to document the historical evolution of Thongjao pottery, analyze the processes of knowledge transmission and production, examine its socio-cultural significance, and assess the challenges affecting its continuity and sustainability. Findings reveal that Thongjao pottery has evolved as a women-centered subsistence craft closely linked to household needs, ritual practices, and settlement patterns. Indigenous knowledge related to clay selection, shaping, drying, and firing is transmitted informally through generations and remains largely experiential. The craft depends heavily on local environmental resources, making it vulnerable to ecological change and restricted access to traditional clay sources. Despite declining demand, competition from industrial products, and reduced participation of younger generations, pottery-making continues to survive due to strong cultural attachment, ritual relevance, and localized demand. The study concludes that Thongjao pottery represents an important form of intangible cultural heritage that embodies cultural identity, social cohesion, and indigenous ecological knowledge. While the craft demonstrates cultural resilience, its long-term sustainability remains uncertain without supportive measures that respect local traditions, encourage intergenerational transmission, and address environmental and economic constraints. The study highlights the need for culturally sensitive strategies for documentation, preservation, and sustainable development of traditional crafts in Manipur