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Nagaland
Nagaland spread over 16,579 sq km is the 16th state of India, formally joined India on December 1st, 1963. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur. The State consists of seven main Districts, inhabited by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. Nagaland has high literacy rate of 67.11%. State is mostly covered with dense forest, many wild animals such as leopards, elephant, tigers, sambar, wild buffaloes etc are found in this region. State shares its border with Assam, Myanmar, Arunachal Predesh and Manipur.
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History
Oginally refered as Chingmee, the hill people or Hao, the tribes. When the British East India Company took control of Assam in 1826, they steadily expanded their domain over modern Nagaland. By 1892, all of modern Nagaland except the Tuensang area in the northeast was governed by the British. It was politically amalgamated into Assam. The Christian missionaries played an important part in transforming Nagaland. Many Naga tribes embraced Christianity, in particular the Baptist faith. Many Naga tribes embraced Christianity, in particular the Baptist faith. After the independence of India in 1947, the area remained a part of the province of Assam. Nationalist activities arose amongst Naga tribes, who demanded a political union of their ancestral and native groups damaged government and civil infrastructure, and attacked government officials and Indians from other states. The Union government sent the Indian Army in 1955, to restore order. In 1957, the Government began diplomatic talks with representatives of Naga tribes, and the Naga Hills district of Assam and the Tuensang frontier were united in a single political entity that became a Union territory - directly administered by the Central government with a large degree of autonomy.
People and Culture
Nagas have evolved into many tribal communities consisting of numerous tribes such as Sumi, Lothas, Angami, Ao, Kuki, Chakhesang , Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Pochury, Rongmei, Rengma,Sangtam, Yimchungru, Zeliang, but the dominant Naga tribes with large population are Lothas and Sumis. Each of these 16 tribes have their own traditional costumes language dance and music. The Nagas wear weaved traditional outfits, which are colorful and unique, and the status in the society of a Naga is decided by the bone necklaces he wears. As per 2001 census of Nagaland, 90% of the state population are predominantly Christian, making one of the largest Christian majority states in India. The Nagas were also exposed to western culture when the English recruited them to a labour corpos to serve france during Second World war. Naga people are highly commended for their loyalty and breavery.
Places In Nagaland
Kohima (Capital)
Kohima (1495 m) is the capital of Nagaland. Kohima houses museums and memorials. The World War II Memorial the main attraction here lists the brave Nagas who laid down their lives. The State museum showcases the wealth of tradition and fascinating life of Naga tribal life. Kohima War Cemetery a simbolic memorial commemorating the memories of the officers and men who sacrificed their lives during the world war II.
Kohima Village, called barra Basti (Big Village)is said to be the second biggest village in Asia. it has one of the finest ceremonial gates, commont to all Naga villages.
Khonoma Village
20 kilometers away from Kohima offers the splendid view of Nagaland's natural beauty and ecological diversity. Because of it's unique fertility of the soil have resulted in 20 different types of rice being grown here.
Dimapur
Located on national highway 39 is the important trade and commercial center of Nagaland.
Mokokchung
160km away from Kohima, is the one of the centers of Ao Naga tradition. Two main festivals celebrated here are connected Sowing tribes, Moatsu in May and Tsungremmong in August.
Naga Shawls
Naga shawls are the most symbolic piece of interest, they are also popular among the tourists. Each tribe has their own special patterns, also the patternisation of the shawl identify tribes and also indicated the social status of a Naga man. The most common pattern of these shawls is Lohe, red and yellow blend. A Naga who had performed a stone dragging ceremony wears lungpensu, and the Ao warrior shawls have symbolic tiger, elephant and mithun motif.
Wokha
The Wokha region is well known for it's excellent oranges and pineapples, and is the home of Lotha tribe. Lothas are known for their colorful folk songs and dances.
Phek
The district headquarter is the home of very different Chakhesang, the combination of three tribes "Cha" of Chekru, "Khe" of Khezhe and "Sang" of Sangtam. Phek is well known for colourful Tsukhenyie festival, which takes place in March-April.
Fairs and Festivals
Nagaland has many traditional varieties of fairs and festivals.
Sekrenyi
The festival of Angami tribal on Angami month Kezei. Which usually falls in the month of February.
Aoling Monyu
Celebrated by Konyaks tribe, this festival last for least 6 days or more. Usually falls in the end of month March, marking the end of winter and beginning of New Year with spring.
Moatsu
Ao celebrated festival, lasting for six days, marks the vigorous merry-making after the hard labour of jhum farming.
Tuluni
Considered one of the most important festival, celebrated by the Semas. First day is forbidden for the outsiders in the village premises. On the forth day prayers and offerings are made.
Naknyulum
Festival of Chang Nagas, celebrated during the first week of July. No marriage ceremonies are performed during the festival, and their houses are decorated with special kind of tree.
Metemneo
Celebrated by Yimchungers after the millet crops is harvested. But the festival is also connected with praying for the souls of the departed.
Amongmong
the Sangtams celebrate Amongmong in the first week of September with new corp is ready for harvesting.
Ngada
Celebrated annually by Rwegma Nagas in the end of November/December. Rwegma believe that their spirit of their forefather visit their graves and the homes of their relatives once every year.
Arts and Handicrafts
Nagas are the pioneers in some of the fine arts and crafts in India, particularly Naga women are outstanding weavers, hand made shawls, bags other items are much popular. Such as Basketry, a storage and carry baskets woven with fine strips of cane and bamboo are well known. Baskets from Khonoma village and Tuensang District are well known and sought after. Tseminyu and Ungma village were well known for aluminum and steel pottery
Reaching Nagaland
- Air : Nearest airport is 75 km away from Kohima at Dimapur.
- Railways : The railway network in the state is minimal.
- Taxi : Dimapur to Kohima is about 2 hour journey.
- Bus : You can also take bus from Dimapur on NH 39. Buses leave for Kohima every hour.
Distance
- Kohima to Guwahati : 390 km
- Kohima to Kolkata : 1516 km.