Title: Origin of the Phom Naga tribe

Language: Phom

Description: The Phom people originally trace their origins to a place called Longturok, from which they migrated to a location known as Aphaihong, where humans, ghosts, and animals coexisted harmoniously. After some time, they relocated to a place called Chenchongliho. It was there that the tiger kindled the very first traditional bonfire, a moment so significant that the sight of the raging flames caused many animals to flee deep into the jungle. Those that escaped became known as wild animals, while those that remained were regarded as domestic animals.

During the bonfire ritual, the tiger instructed everyone to cover their eyes with their hands. However, one man secretly watched the entire process of creating fire. When the bonfire was ablaze, the tiger asked if anyone had witnessed the process. The man admitted he had seen everything, so the tiger challenged him to ignite a fire on his own. He succeeded, and the tiger granted him the responsibility to distribute the fire to all the people; this man were from a clan called Yajam Phang.

At Chenchongliho, the People established their first morung (communal youth dormitory) and resided there for several years before migrating to Yakchingyongkang. From Yakchingyongkang, they moved to Yingnyüshang or Yingnyüching .In Yingnyüching, humans and ghosts coexisted, with six notable spirits—Ngojiüngnyak, Yongakkhaba, Üshü, Üyam, Basho, and Banak—living among the people. During this period, children and animals mysteriously disappeared day after day, without any trace ever being found. To confront this mystery and protect the village, a valiant warrior named Mohbayanglong remained behind to safeguard the community and uncover the cause behind these vanishings.

One day, while all the parents were away working in the fields, a great rhino tongue were revealed and it’s tongue was cut up and pieces of the rare meat were distributed to every house except that of a widow. Then the furious rhino appeared, it rampaged through the village, destroying everything beneath it. The widow, whose house and grain storage had been left untouched, cried out, explaining that she had received none of the rhino’s tongue, so the beast spared her home while annihilating the rest of the settlement.

Following this devastation, the survivors migrated to Longkangshang, and from there the Phom people dispersed—some heading to Nyamchingjichong, others venturing into Konyak territory. The Konyak trace their origins back to “Ying hi long,” signifying both Yingnyüshang and Longkangshang. From Nyamchingjichong, the people spread out even further, founding new villages. This saga forms the foundation of the origin story of the Phom Naga tribe.

Format & Duration: 4 mins 51 secs
Date of Recording: 8/7/2025
Date of Upload: 14 October 2025
Performer: K. Pongat phom
Creator: Chingang. P
Publisher: Tetso College, Dimapur
Note: NA

Cite this work

P, Chingang   . 2025  .  Origin of the Phom Naga tribe       . ( Narrated by  K. Pongat phom )  . Sovima: NEIIPA, Tetso College  . (https://neiipa.in/audio/origin-of-the-phom-naga-tribe/)  . Accessed: (18-Oct-2025)