NAGALAND-INDIA's NORTH EAST FRONTIER

DIMITRA STASINOPOULOU
NAGALAND
INDIA’S NORTH EAST FRONTIER

NAGALAND

NAGALAND – THE LAND OF HILLMEN WARRIORS
The Seven Sister States of India (Assam,
Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram) also
known as Paradise Unexplored, refers to
the 7 north-eastern States, gifted with
impressive natural beauty.
The State of Nagaland lies in the far North-
Eastern region of India, in the Himalayan
Region, on the border with Myanmar, with
a population of around 2 million, being
the smallest State in India. Nagaland is
largely a mountainous state. The Naga
Hills rise from the Brahmaputra Valley in
Assam to about 610m and rise further to
the southeast, at 1,800 m. Mount Saramati,
at an elevation of 3,841m, is the highest
peak; this is where the Naga Hills merge
with the Patkai Range in which form the
boundary with Myanmar. It has pleasant
climate, fertile soil and rich heritage and
more than 16 tribes and sub-tribes who
have their own culture, tradition, language
and dialects. Naga means “Hillmen”. Thus,
Nagaland is a “Land of the Hillmen”. Nature
could not have been kinder to Nagaland,
sometimes referred to as the Switzerland
of the East; the exquisitely picturesque
landscapes, the vibrantly colorful sunrise
and sunset, lush and verdant flora, this is a
land that represents unimaginable beauty,
a breath taking experience.
The Naga people had a systematic selfgovernment
system since centuries. It was
however brought under the British administration
during their rule. After India got
Independence, these tribal areas were
brought under the control of Governor of
Assam. Later, On December 1, 1963, Nagaland
was given the status of a State of
India Union.
The state is inhabited by 16 major
tribes — Ao, Angami, Chang, Konyak,
Lotha, Sumi, Chakhesang, Khiamniungan,
Dimasa Kachari, Phom, Rengma,
Sangtam, Yimchunger, Kuki, Zeme-
Liangmai (Zeliang) Pochury and Rongmei
as well as sub-tribes. Each tribe is unique
in character with its own distinct customs,
language and dress. Two threads common
to all are language and religion. English
is in predominant use. Nagaland is one of
three states in India where the population
is mostly Christian - with over 90% of the
population. Christianity arrived in Nagaland
in early 19 th century. The American
Baptist Naga mission grew out of Assam
mission in 1836. Miles Bronson, Nathan
Brown and others in Christian missionaries
working out of Jaipur, to bring Christianity
into Indian subcontinent, saw the opportunity
for gaining converts since India’s
northeast was principally Animist and folk
religion driven. Along with other tribal
regions of the northeast, Nagaland people
accepted Christianity.
Pure children of nature, supremely free
beings through the ages they have
expressed their exuberance, purity and
vivid character to the completely original
and abundant manifestations of
their culture. They represent a precious
part of man’s heritage and, to this end, they
deserve our support, respect and recognition.
Above all, these forgotten peoples
wish to be recognized for what they
are. Tribal India is virtually unknown
to the outside world and, surprisingly,
also to millions of Indians in both
the towns and countryside who go
about their daily lives completely oblivious
of their “neighbors” in the deserts
and mountains.
The ancient history of the Nagas is unclear.
Some anthropologists suggest Nagas

elong to the Mongoloid race, and tribes
migrated at different times, each settling
in the northeastern part of present India
and establishing their respective sovereign
mountain terrains and village-states. There
are no records of whether they came from
the northern Mongolian region, Southeast
Asia or southwest China, except that
their origins are from the east of India and
that historic records show the present-day
Naga people settled before the arrival of
the Ahoms in 1228 AD. The origin of the
word ‘Naga’ is also unclear. A popularly
accepted, but controversial, view is that it
originated from the Burmese word ‘naka’
or ‘naga’, meaning people with earrings.
Others suggest it means pierced noses.
Cut off for years due to political unrest,
the area was only opened to visitors in the
last few years. A region of green hills and
verdant valleys where much of the land
remains forested, agriculture is now the
mainstay of the economy, and towns and
villages perch picturesquely on hill tops.
A vibrant, incomparable cultural heritage
remains imbued in the isolated Naga Hills.
The eastern Nagas live in a hidden world
of animism: head-hunting (practiced until
the 1960s), feathered, beaded, horned;
wearing sea-shelled costumes and living
in magnificent hilltop villages that have
barely changed for many hundreds of
years. Historically, Naga tribes celebrated
two main rituals. These were feasting and
head hunting.
Head hunting: a male activity, would
involve separating men from their women
before, during and after coming back from
an expedition. The women, as a cultural
practice, would encourage men to undertake
head-hunting as a prerequisite to
marriage. The men would go on an expedition
against other tribes or neighboring
kingdoms, and kill to score number of
heads they were able to hunt. A successful
head hunter would be conferred a right to
ornaments. The practice of head hunting
was banned in 19 th century India, and is no
longer practiced among Naga people.
In the villages of Mon area, there are still
elder Konyak Naga headhunters with dark
prestigious facial tattoos, fading now. This
right was given only to those who had
successfully hunted a head. The necklaces
with brass faces adorning their chests, is
the sign of the number of enemies they
have slaughter. Their ears are pierced with
long animal horns jutting out and their
headgears are decorated with wild boar’s
teeth. These people are the last generation
of headhunters who severed heads before
the government banned the barbaric practice.
They are vanishing fast, and will take
the stories of headhunting to their graves.
Feasts of Merit: In Naga society, individuals
were expected to find their place in the
social hierarchy, and prestige was the key
to maintaining or increasing social status.
To achieve these goals a man, whatever
his ascendancy, had to be a headhunter
or great warrior, have many conquests
among women sex, or complete a series of
merit feasts. The Feasts of Merit reflected
the splendor and celebration of Naga life.
Only married men could give such Feasts,
and his wife took a prominent and
honored place during the ritual which
emphasized male-female co-operation
and interdependence. His wife brewed the
beer which he offered to the guests. The
event displayed ceremonies and festivities
organized by the sponsor. The Feast
given by a wealthier tribe person would
be more extravagant. He would typically
invite everyone from the tribe. This event
bestowed honor to the couple from the
tribe. After the Feast, the tribe would give
the couple rights to ornaments equally.

MON DISTRICT
THE LAND OF THE KONYAK NAGA TRIBE
The Land of the Anghs, which means Land ruled by Kings, is the northernmost district of Nagaland.
Situated at an altitude of 900 meters it is the land of the Konyaks, one of the fiercest tribes in the
world. Even though there is a legal administrative system, actually it is ruled by tribal chiefs called
Anghs (locally known as ‘Wang’ meaning the Beginning of Everything). Mon is the only district in
Nagaland to have this unique institution of Anghship. The word of his is law in these parts. His
succession is hereditary in nature. The Konyaks believe that they were direct descendants of Noah,
for they have Biblical names like Mosa, Kaisa, Aron and so on. The Konyaks are famous for their
tattooed faces, blackened teeth and practice of Headhunting.
The Konyaks of Mon are an interesting tribe with a vibrant and rich heritage. Historically, they were
tattoed warriors who used to practice headhunting back in the days. The tattoos on the faces and
the exquisite jewellery adorning the warriors are signs of their achievements and instincts during
the headhunting days, and the Konyak warriors of Mon wear them with pride. The Angh’s houses
are the biggest in the villages and are adorned with skulls and exquisite woodwork. The tattoos, the
earrings and the colorful headgear marks the might and the power of the Angh.
LONGWA & HORGPHI VILLAGES
Longwa is one of the biggest villages in Mon district and an intersecting sight to behold, since it
straddles the international boundary line between India and Myanmar; one half of the powerful
Angh’s house falls within the Indian territory, whereas the other half lies under Myanmarese control.
Although the borders are shared and some youths of the village serve under the Myanmarese army,
the village is governed by the Angh and the Village Council Chairman, the Angh, had 60 wives and
his jurisdiction extends up to Myanmar and the Indian State of Arunachal Pradesh. There are both
Indian and Myanmarese schools in this village.

MON TOWN

LONGWA & HORGPHI VILLAGES

KOHIMA DISTRICT
THE LAND OF THE ANGHAMI NAGA TRIBE
Kohima is the hilly capital of Nagaland which shares its borders with Myanmar,
at an elevation of 1261m. Originally known as Kewhira, it was founded in 1878,
when the British Empire established its headquarters of the then Naga Hills. It
officially became the capital after the state of Nagaland was inaugurated in 1963.
It is the land of the Angami Naga tribe. Nagaland played a central role in one of
the many battles of World War II, as its capital city of Kohima served as one of
the final points where the British and Indian forces were able to turn back the
Japanese movement into South Asia. The Battle of Kohima took place between
4th April and 22nd June 1944 and is often referred to as the “Stalingrad of the
East”. In 2013, the British National Army Museum voted the Battle of Imphal and
Kohima to be “Britain’s Greatest Battle”.
KOHIMA ART & CULTURE MUSEUM
It was primarily established to present the world about the diverse lifestyle,
habitat and culture of the tribal people. The museum preserves various things
belonging to tribal community.

HORNBILL FESTIVAL
KOHIMA, KISAMA VILLAGE
Now often called the “land of festivals,” Nagaland’s major tribes, each with a unique culture but
all traditionally great warriors, hold separate annual festivals that revolve around a yearly agricultural
cycle. During the first week of December, however, sixteen Naga tribes unite for the Hornbill
Festival, at Kisama Heritage Village, 10 klm from the town of Kohima. Begun in 2000 by the government
of Nagaland, the goal of the Hornbill Festival is to revive and protect the rich traditions of the
Naga tribes. Day and night, for a week, the festival brims with music, vibrant dances, games, and
colorful ceremonial attire, including decorated spears, bead and ivory armlets, and elaborate headgear
of woven bamboo festooned with flowers, boar’s teeth and hornbill feathers. The traditional
ceremonial attire of each tribe is in itself, an awe inspiring sight to behold; the multicolored spears
and daos decorated with dyed goat’s hair, the headgear made of finely woven bamboo interlaced
with orchid stems, adorned with boar’s teeth and hornbill’s feathers, elephant tusk armlets. In days
of yore every warrior had to earn each of these items through acts of valor, to wear them.
The great hornbill bird is known for its impressive size, for its longevity—up to 50 years in captivity—
and for the unique prominent and bright yellow and black casque atop its massive bill. In Naga
culture, the great hornbill is revered for its beauty and alertness. In the past, Naga warriors needed
to prove their valor in battle in order to wear feathers from the hornbill. More recently, however, the
festivals revolve around the rich agriculture of the valleys and the gods were appeased by “sacrifices”
and prayers for a bountiful harvest. The powerful rhythm of warrior log drums pulsates, heroic tales
are reenacted, folk dances and songs are performed, indigenous games are played, and contests
are waged.
The Heritage Complex consists of a cluster of sixteen houses of each tribe created in the indigenous
typical architectural designs and concepts with significance. The tribal house is also called “Morung
or Youth Dormitory”. In the not too distant past, the Morungs were tribal youth dormitories where
warriors displayed their hunting trophies—including the skulls of their enemies. Colorful life and
culture are a vital part of 16 officially recognized Naga tribes, being different and unique in their
customs and traditions. Nagaland is only a few generations away from the days when tattooed
Naga warriors wore the feathers of the great hornbill after proving their valor in battle.

KOHIMA TOWN, NAGALAND’S CAPITAL

KOHIMA TOWN, ART & CULTURE MUSEUM

INDIA - NAGALAND, DECEMBER 2016