The origin of Naga people is lost in legend and myth. Some Naga tribes trace their origin to the
bowels of the Earth, others to six specific stones and yet others to a water source. The history of conflict and struggle among
the various Naga tribes appears almost similar to 'Game of Thrones', the popular T.V. series currently being featured on HBO. Only in this case the fight was not for the
Iron Throne but for land, natural resources and supremacy. The White Walkers, in this case were the invad
ing
British !! Due to lack of written history, only speculations
exist regarding the migratory routes of the Nagas into the Indian sub-continent. The Naga tribes share some aspect of their
culture with the indigenous tribes of Indonesia, Phillipines, Malaysia, New Guinea and Polynesia. There are seventeen major tribes in Nagaland,
each occupying a distinct area, have a distinct culture, attire and language. Each Naga tribe has its own legend about their origin. The exact number of Naga tribes ca
nnot be
specified because they are found not only in Nagaland but also in the contiguous areas
of the Indian States of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and in the neighboring
country Myanmar as well. The reason being that the Naga inhabited areas was
divided by the British rulers into different territories. Some Naga tribes, such as the Khiamniungan,
Pochury, Sangtam, and Chang regard themselves as original inhabitants of these hills. The Angami, Chakhesang, Lotha, Rengma and
Sumi tribes have c
ommon traditions and myths of origin, and are believed to have originated
from a single stock but later on got separated, occupied different hill ranges and gradually
acquired separate identities. Here we present some information of some Naga
tribes, each tribes are equally interesting and each with a rich cultural heritage The origin of the word 'Naga' is contested. Some believe it originated from the Burmese
word 'Naka' meaning people with ear rings. Others think its origin is from Sanskrit wo
rd
'Nagna' meaning naked. The Angamis are a major Naga ethnic group
of the Naga tribe. The Angamis were traditional warriors and
the menfolk spent most of their time preparing for and fighting battles with other hostile
Naga tribes and taking their heads. The Angami warriors were among the fiercest
and stood up bravely against the British forces in the battle of Khonoma in 1879. The Angami Nagas are settled in Kohima District
and Dimapur District of Nagaland. They are also one of the recognized
ethnic
groups in the state of Manipur. Tenyidie is the most common language spoken
among the Angamis in Nagaland. The Sekrenyi festival, locally known as Phousanyi,
is a major annual festival of the Angami Nagas. It is normally celebrated on 25 February under
the auspices of the Angami Public Organisation in association with many other organizations
and the state government. It is a "purification festival" held to wash
off all past sins. The objective of the festival is to renew
and "make holy"
by cleansing the "body and the soul" of the village as a whole, and to bring
forth unity among all communities of Nagaland. It also marks the initiation of young people to adulthood
and is considered an "identity marker of the Angami" Most Nagas are literate and English is widely spoken. The Ao Naga were among the first converts
to Christianity. However many continue to follow animism attributing
a living soul to plants, inanimate objects and natural phenomena. Ao Nagas are found in the north-ea
stern part of
Nagaland, mostly in the central Mokokchung District, and few are found in the adjacent Assam State. Moatsu and Tsungremong are their major
festivals which are celebrated in May and August. There are several rhythmic instruments
that aptly accompany the Naga music. The area's folk music is dominated by string
instruments like the Tati (single string fiddle) and Theku Among, the Chakhesangs and Angami Nagas,
Asem (drum with animal skin masked upon carved wood) and Jemji (Horn made
using Mithun Horn). Music is an integral part of Naga culture and the
Tetseo Sisters, belonging to the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland have kept their ancestral
musical legacy alive. Chakhesangs are the former Eastern Angamis,
now recognized as a separate tribe. They speak Chokri. The tribe is divided into two groups known
as Chokri and Khezha. The name "Chakhesang" was created as an acronym
from the names of three tribes: the Chokri, Khezha and Sangtam. Most of the villages of this tribe fall with
in
Phek district of Nagaland and two Chakhesang villages are in Ukhrul district in Manipur. Tsukhenyie and Sekrenyi are the major festivals
which are celebrated in April and January. Traditional beliefs among Nagas in spirits,
local deities and supernatural forces associated with life events remain strong even among
tribes that have adopted Christianity. The traditional territory of the Changs lies
in the central Tuensang district. Their principal village was Mozungjami/Hakű
in Tuensang, from wh
ich the tribe expanded to the other villages. Kundanglem and Nuknyu Lem are their major
festivals which are celebrated in April and July. Most Naga tribes practice agriculture,
but they are highly skilled artisans as well, their deft fingers create shawls, woven bamboo
walls, baskets and utensils, wooden facades and carvings, jewelalry etc. Khiamniungan literally means source of great waters. They are found in Noklak district of Nagaland
state and parts of Myanmar. Miu and Tsokum are their major
festivals which
are celebrated in May and October respectively. Khiamniungan Naga believed in the existences
of ancestral spirit or spirit of the hearth or household - Paosijhiniu or Koa-niu. They were believed to be the spirit of dead
ancestors who remained with the family to take care of them whenever needed. In ancient Khiamniungan society, the Shaman
played an important role. Ehnyu and Ehpou refer to male and female Shamans
respectively and both were given equal importance and reverence. He
ad hunting was an important part of warfare
among the Naga tribes. Their weapons included spears, dao and shields. Later guns were pilfered from the invading British army. The Konyaks are easily distinguishable from
other Naga tribes by their pierced ears and tattoos, which they have all over their faces,
hands, chests, arms, and calves. Facial tattoos were earned for taking an enemy's head. Other unique practices that the tribe is known
for are things like Gun-smithing, Iron-smelting, Gun-powde
r making and other Brass works. They are famous for making the traditional
machetes that are known as Janglau and other wooden sculptures. They inhabit the Mon district
(Land of the Anghs) of Nagaland. The Anghs and the Wangs are the chieftains of
the community who are held in very high esteem. Aoleang and Lenghamo are their major festivals
which are celebrated in April and September. The Nagas are predominantly live in villages
and are greatly attached to it. Wokha, a district headquarters in N
agaland,
is inhabited by the Lothas, one of the largest tribes in Nagaland. For the most part of history, this place
remained isolated from the outer world. Wokha is known for its shawls, which are handmade
using a technique which has been passed down through generations. The Lothas are believed to have migrated from
eastern China. Tokhu Emong is their major festival celebrated
in November. The Lothas are also known for their colorful
dances and folk songs. Nagas believe in the power of dreams.
If a bride to be has an inauspicious dream before
three days of the marriage, the ceremony is called off ! Agriculture is the traditional occupation of the
Phoms, and the tribe practices jhum cultivation. The Phoms also have a tradition of making
pottery, bamboo work and spinning. The traditional territory of Phoms lies between
the territories of Konyak in the north-east, the Ao in the west and the Chang in the south. Yongnyah is the largest Phom village. Monyu, Moha and Bongvum are their major
festivals
which are celebrated in April, May and October respectively. Nagland is a land of festivals and most festivals
are related to sowing and harvest. The Rengma tribe is found both in Nagaland and Assam. According to the local traditions, the Rengmas
and the Lothas were once part of a single tribe. There are also oral records of a mighty struggle
between the combined Rengma villages, and the Lotha village of Phiro. There are records of the Rengmas' conflict
with the Angami Nagas. Slavery u
sed to be a practice among the Rengmas,
and the slaves were known by the names Menugetenyu and Itsakesa. By the time the British arrived in the Naga
region, the slavery was a declining practice, and no Rengma appears to have
been a slave during this time. The Rengma are known for their
harvest festival called Ngada. It is an eight-day festival that marks the
end of the agricultural season. It is celebrated just after the harvest,
towards the end of November. The Rengma's perform a special dance
during this festival. The dance is performed with traditional
warriors attire and there is no age bar. The folk dance is accompanied with changing
sound and music of folk tunes, war cry and yelling which is an expression of delight in victory. According to the Animistic religion traditionally
practiced by the Nagas, all creatures were created equally by God and form an integral
part of their lives. After bringing the heads of those
vanquished into the village, the hunter would be honored as a he
ro by the entire village Sangtams are found living in the Tuensang
and Kiphire districts of Nagaland. They are united under the common banner
called "UNITED SANGTAM." Like many other tribal groups in Northeast India,
they practice jhum cultivation, or shifting cultivation. Unlike other Naga tribes in Nagaland, many
of the Sangtam have retained their traditional beliefs in spite of embracing Christianity. Sangtams celebrate many different festivals,
in particularly Mongmong, all of which are affi
liated with their traditional culture and religion. They celebrate their Mongmong festival in
the first week of September. Mongmong, which means 'Togetherness Forever',
is celebrated to seek blessings of their God for good health and prosperous harvest after
a year- long hard work. The festival is celebrated with merrymaking
accompanied by traditional songs and dances. It is believed by some in the Sangtam tribe
that they have come to their present place following migration from Burma. With 80.1
1%, the state of Nagaland has among
the highest literacy rates in India (2011 census). The Sumis mainly inhabit Zunheboto district
and Dimapur district although many have spread out from there and living in a few more districts
within Nagaland. Sumi Naga tribe practiced kiti-do and
were fierce headhunters. It was a matter of valor and heroism to
participate in a head hunting expeditions. The Sumis celebrate many festivals which have
been carried down from generations. Most of these festivals usu
ally mark the beginning
of new seasons, harvesting of new crops or victory at war. The two major festivals that are currently
popular among them are Tuluni and Ahuna festivals which are celebrated in November and July. While inheritance of land is through the male
heir in the Naga society, the Zounuo-Keyhonuo group of Viswema village in Angami Naga area
is an exception. A unique feature of this group is the existence
of matrilineal inheritance of land by eldest daughter upon marriage. Yimchungru
is a Naga tribe whose traditional
territory includes Tuensang, Kiphire and Shamator districts in Nagaland state of India, and
western areas of Burma. The word Yimchungru means "the ones who have
reached their place of choice". The name Yimchungru/Yimchunger is a mispronounced
word for Yimkhiungru or Yimkhiunger which literally means "The Fnders". The present Yimkhiungru's were not
know by any name as a tribe. They lived mostly a nomadic life spending
hardly one or two generation at a certain pl
ace of settlement as a village for want
of more land for cultivation to meet the growing need of food and other means of sustenance. At other times, the entire population was
compelled to abandon their village and shift to a safer place to avoid plague and epidemic
diseases or as victims of constant head hunting among the neighboring villages. Metumniu and Tsungkamniu are their major festivals
celebrated by the Yimkhiungru in August and January. Strong ties to cultural identity in the form
of th
eir love and passion for agriculture are reflected in the hymns and beats of songs
of the Yimkhiungru. Their musical instruments include simple log
drums, trumpets and flutes, similar to that of the Angamis. The beauty and culture of the tribes cannot
be seen anywhere else in India. Nagaland is a Land of tribal Culture where
different tribes are seen in their traditional attire. For the tribes, festivals are sacred and that
is the reason why their taking part in these festivals is important. If
you want to experience more about Naga
Culture and Tradition then it is the best time to visit Hornbill Festival which held
every year in the month of December. You can get Hornbill Festival tickets at the
entry gate only. It is Rs. 20 for entrance and Rs.30 for DSLR
Camera and Rs.50 for Video Camera.
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