Profile
The State of Nagaland was formally inaugurated on December 1st, 1963, as the 16th State of the Indian Union. It is bounded by Assam in the West, Myanmar (Burma) on the East, Arunachal Pradesh in the North and Manipur in the South.
Nagaland is located in the extreme North-Eastern end of India, approximately between 25°6' & 27°4' Latitude North of the Equator and between 93°20'E & 95°15'E Longitude. It is bounded by Myanmar in the East; Assam in the West; Arunachal Pradesh and a part of Assam in the North with Manipur in the South.
The Naga Hills run through this small state, which has Saramati as its highest peak at a height of 12,600 ft. The main rivers that flow through Nagaland are Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu and Jhanji. The terrain is mountainous, thickly wooded, and cut by deep river valleys. There is a wide variety of plant and animal life. Nagaland has a monsoon climate with generally high humidity; rainfall averages between 1800 and 2500 mm (70 and 100 in) a year.
Origin
The people of Nagaland were originally referred to as the "Naka" in the Burmese language which literally means - the people with pierced ears. The earliest Naga tribes had socio-economic as well as political links with tribes in Assam and Myanmar and following the invasion in 1816, the area along with Assam came under the direct rule of Burma (Myanmar ). This phase of Nagaland's history was marked by oppressive rule and unrest, until the British East India Company took over its control in 1826. By 1892, all of modern Nagaland except the Tuensang area in the north east, was governed by the British and was politically amalgamated into Assam.The missionaries played a pivotal role in converting the tribal people into Christianity and outlawed the practice of headhunting.
After the independence of India in 1947, the area remained a part of the province of Assam. Nationalist activities arose amongst a section of the Nagas, whose Naga National Council demanded a political union of their ancestral and native groups, damaged government and civil infrastructure and attacked government officials and civilians from other states of India. 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. This was not satisfactory to the tribes, however, and soon agitation and violence increased across the state-included attacks on Army and government institutions, as well as civil disobedience and non-payment of taxes. In July 1960, a further political accord was reached at the Naga People's Convention to wit: that Nagaland should become a constituent and self-governing state in the Indian union. Statehood was officially granted in 1963 and the first state-level democratic elections were held in 1964.
People and Culture
NAGALAND is a land of festivals and the tribes celebrate their distinct seasonal festivals with a spectacle of color and a feast of music.
All the tribes have their own festivals which forms an intrinsic part of their culture. They revere their festivals and participation in celebration is compulsory. They celebrate their distinct seasonal festivals with ceremonious feasts and music.
Most of these festivals revolve round agriculture, it being the main-stay of Naga society. Over 85% population of Nagaland is directly dependent on agriculture and lives in villages situated on high hill tops or slopes overlooking verdant valleys humming with. In this blissful setting Nagas enjoy the blessing of Nature with rare gusto striking the onlookers with awe and admiration. In most of the places agriculture consists of monocrop.
Although some religious and spiritual sentiments are inter woven into secular rites and rituals, the pre- dominant theme of the festivals is offering of prayers to a Supreme Being having different names in different Naga dialects. At these festivals, the spirits of Gods are propitiated with sacrifices by the Village Shaman for a bountiful harvest either before the sowing or on the eve of harvest .
Fairs and Festivals
Tsungrem Mong Tsungrem Mong, one of the cherished festivals of Nagaland is a much-awaited festival of the Ao tribe and is observed in the month of August according to the English calendar, just after the millet has been sown. This is one of the special thanksgiving festivals of Nagaland and is also regarded as a prayer for a copious yield of crops.
Nazu This grand festival is celebrated by the Pochury tribe of Nagaland with much enthusiasm. It is reckoned as one of the most important festivals of Nagaland. It is indeed a gala event and is observed for a span of ten days at a stretch with much glitter and gaiety. The tribe also participates in a lot of cultural performances during thus auspicious occasion. The dancers adorn themselves with vibrant colored attires and glittering accessories. The harmonious movements of hands and legs along with the songs of different tunes and beats are especially noticeable in the dance form displayed by them.
Sekrenyi This is one of the most important festivals of Nagaland celebrated in the month of February by the Angamis tribe. This festival, also known as Phousyni by the Angamis is celebrated for a span of ten days. The religious rites and rituals are observed by the tribe with much veneration. The best part of the festival is the Thekra Hie where the youth of the village accumulate and sing traditional songs throughout the day. The important part of the ceremony falls on the eighth day when the bride pulling or gate pulling is performed or inter-village visits are exchanged. Till the festive celebrations get over the field activities are put to a stop by the peasants, as they remain totally engrossed in the merriment.
More
.jpg)
