Nagaland
The undulating state of Nagaland is extremely charming and lovingly beautiful. A home to as many as sixteen tribes, the state has much to explore. The virgin terrains of the state are breathtakingly enchanting. You must visit Naga City to experience the panorama of nature, the warmth and hospitality of people, lavish blossoms and coy rivers making their way through the rugged terrains. If you are the victim of hectic monotonous lifestyle and then a tour to Nagaland is for you.
Climate
The beginning of winter is marked by a steep fall (almost 5 degree Centigrade) in temprature during December. January is the coldest month. In February, the temprature starts rising gradually. The monsoon lasts for five months from May to September with June, July and May, being the wettest months. The annual rainfall varies from 100 cm to over 300 cm.
History
The ancient history of Nagaland is very obscure. Little is known about what is now Nagaland, including the origin of several large sandstone pillars at Dimapur. British rule was established over the area by the 1890s, and headhunting, then a traditional practice, was banned. The Naga territory remained divided between Assam and the North East Frontier Agency after Indian independence in 1947, despite a vocal movement supporting the political union of all the Naga tribes; one faction called for discord from India.
The Indian government established a single Naga administrative unit under Indian rule in the year 1957, following the violent incidents. The Naga people replied by refusing to pay their taxes and by conducting a campaign of sabotage. In 1960, in the face of civil unrest, the Indian government agreed to make Nagaland a self-governing state within India. The state was officially inaugurated in 1963. However, the Naga separatists continued to demand autonomy and a single administrative unit comprising all the Naga-inhabited areas spanning some of the north-eastern states. A long history of insurgency has been painstakingly stemmed with talks and ceasefire agreements between Naga rebels and the Central Government, and today the state is relatively free of conflict.
Tribes of Nagaland
Major Tribes: The inhabitants of Nagaland are called 'Naga' which has incepted from 'Nagna' means naked. It is so because the Nagas are known for avowed for their sparseness of clothes. There are fourteen major Naga tribes namely the Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khemungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sema, Yimchunge and Zeliang. All these tribes live happily with each other. They have different traditions, languages, occupations and lifestyles.
The People: The Nagas belong to the Indo-Mongoloid family. Nagas are assiduous people with a strong inclination for their values, ethical mores and self esteem. They are courteous and cheerful and sanguine. You will easily confront the Nagas with a glee lit face. Nagas are of sub medium height with a low face indice, straight hair. You will find the Zeliang and Pochury tribes of Kohima very humble and rustic. The tusensang tribe are modest and natural.
Social and Cultural Ethos: Some cultural customs of the tribes are same like head hunting, common sleeping house for unmarried men which are taboo to women, a sort of trial marriage, or great freedom of intercourse between the sexes before marriage, disposal of dead on raised platforms, the simple loom for weaving cloth.
There is absence of any caste sysytem among Naga and non Naga tribe. Rather the tribes are asundered into twelve totems based on the great forefathers. Recent advent of Gotra system among tribes is remarkable. Marriage in the same totem is restricted but modernization has impacted it and hence now young people do not abide by it.
Fairs & Festivals
Festivals of Angami: This tribe celebrates SEKRENYI in the month of February to seek health and welfare of the whole community. People are all glad and happily celebrate by boozing, and eating pork.
Festival of Ao: The Ao tribe observe MOASTSU MONG for three days in the month of May after completing sowing. The festival is occasion of celebration, dancing, singing and frolicking. 'Sangpangtu' is one of the symbolic celebrations of this festivals where men and
women sit around a big lit fire. Another festival of Aos is TSUNGREM MONG in the August. This festival is for upcoming generation and village youths to exhibit their intellectual dexterity and physical prowess.
Festival of Chakhesang: This community celebrates seven festivals in whole year which are SUHKRUHNYE - 15th January, NGUNYE - 1st February, TSAKRONYE - 1st Sunday of March 4, TSUKHANYE / TSUKHENYIE - 6th May, KHUTHONYE - 15th July, TURHINYE - 25th August, THURINYE / KHILUVATU - 1st December. SUHKRUHNYE is the most important festival of this tribe.
Festival of Chang: This tribe observes six major festivals annually namely POANG LEM, JEINYU LEM, KUDANG LEM by Haongang community, and MOUNG LEM, NAKNYU LEM and MONYU LEM. These festivals are celebrated with great enthusiasm till date.
Festival of Zemi: SANKARNI is the most important festival of Zemis. It is celebrated at the same time when Sivaratri is celebrated. A week long festival is for smoking and boozing for merriment.
Festival of Sumi: The sumis celebrate a post harvest festival AHUNA which bespeaks the manifestation of thanks giving spree. TULUNI another festival which is celebrated in mid July. People drink wine named Tulini a rice beer.
The Hornbill Festival: It is not a traditional festival of Nagas but a showcase of of Naga culture, cuisine and handicrafts. Different tribes display their own unique cultural assets. Musical gigs and various entertainment programs keep the tourists and the participant occupied with conviviality.
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