Nagaland — Culture,
Heritage & Language
Hornbill Festival, Naga tribes, handlooms
Introduction
Nagaland, on India's eastern frontier, is famed for the Hornbill Festival — the 'Festival of Festivals' — and 17 major Naga tribes, each with distinctive attire, language and customs.
Quick Facts
Capital
Kohima
Largest City
Dimapur
Official Language
English
Formation Date
1 December 1963
Area
16,579 sq km
Population
2,200,000+
Region
Northeast
Type
State
Language
English is the only official language; Nagamese (a creole) serves as the lingua franca alongside tribal languages — Ao, Angami, Sumi, Lotha, Konyak, Chakhesang and more.
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Traditional Dress
Each tribe has unique woven shawls and skirts. Men wear loincloths with ceremonial necklaces of beads and brass; women weave brightly striped wraparounds.
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Festivals
Hornbill Festival (1-10 December at Kisama), plus tribe-specific festivals — Sekrenyi (Angami), Moatsu (Ao), Tuluni (Sumi) and Tokhu Emong (Lotha).
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Cuisine
Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoot, Akhuni (fermented soybean), Galho, Anishi, Bushmeat (now restricted) and the world-hottest Bhut Jolokia chili.
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Literature
Oral epic traditions are rich; English-language writers like Easterine Kire and Temsula Ao have gained national acclaim.
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Art Forms
Tribal wood carving, log drums, shawl weaving, basketry, jewelry of beads and brass, and folk dances like Aaluyattu and Modse.
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Historical Importance
Headhunting tribes resisted British rule; became a state in 1963 — India's 16th. The long-running Naga peace process continues.
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