Tribal culture and festivals of Nagaland (Seven Sister States - 7)

Until the British colonization of India, the people of Nagaland had very little contact with the other areas. In the year 1963, Nagaland became the 13th state to join the Indian constitution. Nagaland is bordered by Assam (west), Burma (east), Arunachal Pradesh (north) and Manipur (South). The people of Nagaland are collectively known as Naga people. Nagaland is a land of tribes. There are 16 main tribes of this state.namely, these tribes are - Ao, Angami, Chang,Chakhesang, Dimasa Kachari, Konyak, Khiamniungan,Kuki, Lotha, Langsimngi, Phom, Pochury,Rengma, Sumi ,Sangtam, Yimchunger, Zeliang.

Naga people are fierce warriors with the spear being their weapon of choice. Although headhunting (keeping heads of enemies as trophies) and raids have now stopped; they still practice some warrior traditions. What differentiates these tribes are even though they belong to the same state, they speak different languages, their food, traditions and clothing habits are different. Each tribe wears there own specific motif on their dresses. These tribes stretch across north east India as well as Burma. The Naga people have developed a separate language called Nagamese - which is a mixture of different Naga languages and Assamese. This language helps people to communicate among different tribes. English is mainly used throughout Nagaland and majority of people belong to Christian Religion. All the tribes have their own festivals and rituals. As agriculture is a major part of their occupation and economy, most of the festivals revolve around harvest. Listed below are some  of the major festivals of Nagaland -

Tribe	Festival	Month	Specialties
Ao	Moatsu	May	Celebrated after sowing is done and clearing and burning of fields is complete.
Angami	Sekrenyi	February	It is a 10 day harvest festival in which the lady of the household puts out rice water at 3 main places of the house
Chang	Naknyulem	July	Traditionally it is a festival to thank god for providing light
Chakhesang	Sukrunyie	January	19 day festival worshiping the utensils and fire. Men do not use water fetched by women
Dimasa Kachari	Bushu	January	After the harvest the first paddy is offered to the supreme God - Brai-Sibrai
Khiamniungan	Tsokum	October	Harvest festival of one week
Kuki	Mimkut	January	After the harvest of maize, samples are offered to departed souls
Konyak	Aoleang Monyu	April	New year and Spring festival of 9 days
Langsimngi	Chegagadi	October	Festival starts after seeing first new moon. Women cannot touch the fire or utensils used by men.
Lotha	Tokhu Emong	November	9 days post-harvest festival thanking God for the harvest
Phom	Monyu	April	12 days festival marking end of winter.
Pochury	Yemshe	October	Huge harvest festivals starting from the last week of September to first week of October.
Rengma	Ngada	November	8 day festival signifies the end of agricultural season
Sumi	Tuluni	July	A mid year festival for communal harmony and bountiful crops
Sangtam	Mongmong	September	Food and wine are offered at the middle of the night to the dead to avoid inheriting the sins of the dead people.
Yimchungr	Metmneo	August	five-day harvest festival after millet is harvested
Zeliang	Heleibambe	March	A festival of seeding and sowing. Unlike other festivals entertainment and sports are not allowed during this time

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