Discovering Andro Village In Manipur And Its Ancient Coil Pottery

Ruled by kings for centuries, Manipur is a land of pristine natural beauty, vibrant dance forms and music, and a history steeped in royalty and the fight for Indian independence. "The Land of the Jewel" dazzles visitors with its waterfalls, wildlife and valleys, as well as globally acclaimed cultural traditions like the martial art form of Thang Ta and Manipuri dance.

But, did you know that among this rich cultural heritage lies a rare pottery form that draws visitors from far and wide? Tucked away in the forested foothills of the Nongmaiching range, the village of Andro is known for its scenic beauty, the traditional pottery skills of its residents and tribal traditions.

Here's a look at the coil pottery of Andro village in Manipur.

Origins Of Coil Pottery In Andro Village

In the 1700s, King Pamheiba pushed his subjects in the Imphal Valley to convert to Hinduism, making it the official religion of the Meitei people. However, a small group of Meiteis chose to become social castaways to continue practising their indigenous Sanamahi faith. An even smaller group of their descendants moved to Andro village, where they still reside today. They started to practice their prized heritage craft, the rare pottery form of Charai Taba.

Also termed "coil pottery," the form of the pot transpires as the potter makes and stacks loop after loop of clay (charais) of different sizes, melding them together one by one, till the resulting object finally takes the curvaceous shape of a pot. A Charai Taba potter works without any kind of motor, and uses her wheel more for precision sculpting, rather than giving the pot form. Interestingly, this is an art form practised only by married women, and generally passed on to young brides by their mother-in-law.

What sets the village’s pottery style apart is that the craftswomen use a uniquely shaped wooden bat to mould the clay instead of a pottery wheel. This flat-surfaced bat is used to deftly pound the clay into whatever shape or design the potter wants to create. It is then sun-dried for four days before being baked in the fire. The pots are then given a special shine by using a natural dye made from the bark of a local tree.

Over the centuries, the animist Meiteis of Andro have been using their Charai Taba pots for saving seeds, drinking water, cooking and storing yu—the local sacred alcoholic rice brew—which is an important part of nearly every Sanamahi ritual, right from the birth ceremony to marriage and death. The links between yu, pottery culture and religion run deep, which is why even in this dry state, the people here are allowed to continue brewing their yu.

About Andro Village In Manipur

Andro village is a gateway to Manipur's distinctive traditions, captivating history and unparalleled beauty. It is home to the ancient Panam Ningthou temple, one of India’s oldest continuously burning sacred fireplaces since 34 BCE. The village is a paragon of heritage preservation, community engagement and sustainable tourism, setting the standard for heritage tourism in India.

Today, tourists visit Andro village to see coil pottery in action. If you're planning a trip there soon, consider checking out their handcrafted tribal doll tradition as well at the Mutua Bahadur Museum.

How To Reach Andro Village In Manipur

Take a flight to Bir Tikendrajit International Airport (IMF) in Imphal and a bus or taxi to Andro village, 22 km away.

The story was originally published on May 18, 2022. It has since been updated.