NAGALAND

NORTHEAST : NAGALAND [ BRIEF TOURIST GUIDE ] 
                                          

          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.

How to Reach

By Air: Dimapur is the only airport in Nagaland and it is well connected by flights from Delhi and Calcutta and the rest of the country.
By Rail: The important railhead in Nagaland is Dimapur on the North Eastern Railway Track.
By Road: The towns and villages of Nagaland are connected by the Nagaland State Transport Association. Buses are frequent from Dimapur to Guwahati, Shillong, Mokokchung.

Fact File
Area: 16.527 Sq.Km.
Capital : Kohima
Maximum Temperature: 31°C
Minimum Temperature: 4°C
Districts:   7 (seven)

Main Rivers: Dhansiri, Doyang, Dikhu, Milak, Zungki and Tizu
Languages: English, Nagamese, and local dialects
Clothing Required

Summer:         Cotton             Tropical
Winter:                        Heavy             Woolens
Best Time to Visit: September to April
Entry Formalities: Inner line permit for Indian visitors and Restricted Area Permit for Foreigners.

Cities of Nagaland

Dimapur: This “City of River People”, is the biggest and most advanced industrialized city of the state. The District derives its name from a dialect of Kachari in which ‘di’ - means river, ‘ma’ - means great or big, and ‘pur’ - means city, together denotative as ‘the city near the great river’. You can enjoy sightseeing in Dimapur at Chumukedima (the first headquarters of the erstwhile Naga Hills District of Assam State when there was reign of British in early 19th century), Ruzaphema (for frolic and shopping of handicrafts), Triple Falls (a three tier waterfall), Governor's Camp (picnickers, rafters, anglers and campers delight) and Itankagi Wildlife Sanctuary.

Kohima: The capital city of Nagaland is a home to Angami, Rengma, Kuki and Zeliang Naga tribes. The city is remarkable for the history of World War II. For tourists it has religious, monumental, museums and village attractions. Must visit places are The Cathedral of Reconciliation (a modern church), War Cemetery, State Museum, Zoological Park and two beautiful villages of Bara Basti and Khonoma.

The Dzukou Valley in Kohima is extremely beautiful. The hills, the cliffs, the landscape, the brooks, are ultimately vibrant. The valley is all the more beautiful and fragrant in the season of spring with blossoms all around. The herbs, the flowers like white, red, yellow and pink rhododendrons, yellow Caltha Palustris and white anemones. Different flowers dominate different seasons. Surprisingly 360 varieties of orchids grow in the hillsides.

Kiphire:This tourist hot spot has many attractions like Saramati Peak (the highest peak of Nagaland), Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary, Cave at Salomi, Cave at Mimi, Sukhayap       (Lover's           Paradise),

Wawade Waterfalls, Twin Stones, Village of Siphi, Mikhi (the river of salt) and Yingphi or Yingphire (absolutely rich in historical spots, legends and traditions).

Longleng: Mokokchung: If you visit Mokokchung, do check out these spots of interest Longkhum, caves of Fusen kei and Mongzu Ki, Longritzu Lenden and Tangkum Marok (springs), Ungma ( oldest and the largest Ao village) and Chuchuyimlang (festival village            of         Ao).

Peren: This tourist village is abound with ethnicity and traditions. The famous tourist attractions of the distrisct are Benuru (rich in traditional values), Mt. Pauna Tourist Village and Mt. Pauna (the third highest peak of Nagaland).

Festivals of Nagaland

Nagaland is a place where fairs and festivals are celebrated round the year. Various tribes and village observe diffent festivals. Among the famous ones are:

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.

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.

Wildlife of Nagaland

The state has two wildlife sanctuaries. Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary.

Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary

The Fakim Sanctuary in Nagaland is nearby the border of Myanmar. It is full of numerous flora and fauna. You will find the trees of Bonsum, Bogipoma, Khasi Pine, Oaks, Amari, Gamari, Hollock, Nahor, Uriam, Alder, Kachnar, Sasi here. As the foprests here receive plenty of rains, the woods are brimmed with undergrowth shrubs, Dalchini and Tejpatta. If you will go in the months of March and April, you will gte to see blooming Rhododendrons, varieties of Bamboo and Cane.

The fauna of the sanctuary is packed with Tiger, Hoolock gibbons, Panther, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Bear, Bison, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Slender Loris. Some beautiful birds that are found in this sanctuary are Indian Horn Bill, Tragopan Pheasant, Grey Pheasant, Jungle Fowl, Green Pigeon, Doves etc are the important birds of the region.

Sightseeing in the Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary
The Landscape

Physiographically, the area is covered with hills, high ridges deep gorges and narrow valleys. Because of this variation, in altitude, vegetation of this district is equally varied and variegated. Forest of the district is tropical to sub-tropical. Important trees found in the district are, Bonsum, Bogipoma, Khasi Pine, Oaks, Amari, Gamari, Hollock, Nahor, Uriam, Alder, Kachnar, Sasi, etc.
Because of heavy rainfall in these area the forests are full of undergrowth shrubs. More than dozen species of ferns and numerous species of orchids are found in this district. Rhododendrons are found flowering pleasantly in March- April.Various variety of canes bamboos are also found in abundance. Trees of Dalchini and Tejpata are found scattered          in         the       area.

The Fauna

The Fakim Sanctuary is quite rich in its variety of fauna. Some important animals found in the district are; Tiger, Hoolock gibbons, Panther, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Bear, Bison, Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Slender Loris etc. Indian Horn Bill, Tragopan Pheasant, Grey Pheasant, Jungle Fowl, Green Pigeon, Doves etc are important birds found in the district.

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary

The Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagaland is preserved by the Forest Wildlife Department. It is a shelter to various animals including some rare species of birds. The sanctuary boasts of having rich and varied treasure of flora & fauna. This Sanctuary is a home to Hoolock Gibbon (the only Gibbon found in India), Elephant, Mithun, Sambar, Barking Deer, Goral, Flying Squirrel, Wild Dog, Tiger, Sloth Bear. The birds you can locate here are Kaleej and common pheasant, Hornbill and Black Stor.

Sightseeing in Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary
The Landscape

The landscape of this part is abound with hills and mountains. The complete surrounding is covered with a thick carpet of green plantations.

The Fauna

An exotic Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary is home to Hoolock Gibbon, the only Gibbon found in India; other wildlife includes Elephant, Mithun, Sambar, Barking Deer, Goral, Flying Squirrel, Wild Dog, Tiger, Sloth Bear, among Birds are Kaleej and common pheasant, Hornbill and Black Stor.

Adventure in Nagaland

Nagaland is a pleasantly charming land with avant garde trekking routes. Nagaland hills are archetypal ones where trekking and campaigning will be absolute fun. Adventure sports are extremely thrilling here because of azure hills and clichéd expanses. You can enjoy trekking in the state traversing through vestal and uninfluenced terrains. From the month of November to March Japfu Peak in Kohima is a trekkers delight. Another trek for you is Dzukou Valley. It is a marvelous valley for trekking expeditions. It has a roving rivulet and in the spring season you will see wildflowers and pink and white rhododendrons.

Shopping in Nagaland

Aha !!... so you are interested in shopping at Nagaland. Great idea indeed ! As other tribes, Nagas also have their own own expertise in handicrafts. The art and craft of Nagaland is clannish and chic. The Nagas have a knack of Bamboo Work, Wood Carving, Pottery and Blacksmitthy. So you have a wide variety of products to choose from. Go to the local bazaars and be a proud owner of these comely articles.

Bamboo Work

As the state has forests abundant of Bamboo and Cane, Nagas are adept basket creators. This art is limited to the males of the village. The baskets which they make are for multiphasic. One basket is for domestic purpose, for storage and the other basket is for outdoor purpose like carrying it for daily usage. These baskets are of different shapes. These are triobe specific, for instance, a conical shaped basket is representative of Aos, a cylindrical shaped basket is of Angamis. Apart from these baskets Nagas also make mats, shields, drinking cups – Chungas-, necklaces, armlets, and leggings of cane.

Wood Carving

The affluent family of the village have the best wood carvings on their houses. They use simple wood carving instruments and motifs are equally simple and symbolic like carving of mithun head (denoting wealth), hornbill (denoting valor), human figure (denoting success in hunting), elephant, tiger (denoting physical aptitude).

Pottery

Pottery is not that popular and but hence practiced in very few villages. Without using a revolving wheel the Nagas make the pots by their hands only. Limited to women folk of the village it is not very profitable.

Blacksmithy

It is a recent but popular craft. The blacksmiths make the everyday use article for the villagers like Dao, axe, sickle, knives, spear points, muzzle loading guns and butts. Different tribes have their own perspective about the trade of blacksmithy.

Ornaments
Fundamentally both the sexes are fond of wearing and adorning themselves with colorful ornaments. Naga soldiers wears a miniature trophy masks as a pendant in a chain or necklace symbolizing their valor as headhunters. You will like to see the Naga bracelets and bangles. Nagas make ornaments of shells which have a aesthetic quality.

Art of Nagaland Crafts

Weaving
Naga women are dexterous weavers and make chromatic and jazzy shawls, bags and jackets. They use back strap and fly shuttle loom for weaving. Different tribes has set types of motifs, patters, designs and colors according to the folklores of the tribes. These weaved clothes are adorned with beads, shells and hair of goat to for ostentation of wealth.
Spinning
This is also performed by Naga women. Till recent times every maiden should know spinning to get married. Usually the procedure of spinning is nothing but primordial.
Dyeing
While dyeing the Nagas use vibrant colors like red, blue and less often yellow. Dyeing is prohibited before harvest believing that process of dyeing can perish the crops.

Music

The folklores and music is passed down from one generation to the other and so the Nagas has music inbred in them. They play a common musical instrument 'Petu', Theku a string instrument and a wind instrument – flute. Trumpet is used by the people to keep away the wild animals. Guitar is gaining popularity and is in vogue in Nagaland today. The songs of Nagas can be classified into different categories like:

Heliamleu or dancing songs: these are romantic love songs composed and sung by both      young  and      old            people.
Hereileu or war songs: Sung by the old people to commemorate the triumphs and forfeit at wars, to relive the bygone glorious days.
Neuleu or legendry songs: These are composed by the old people of the village to solemnize their important and remarkable events.
Hekialeu or songs about self: Old people compose these songs to narrate their achivements in their career when they were young and strong.
Hekialeu or a duet: Generally it is sung by the young lads and lasses of the clan. These songs are composed by both young and old people.

Dance
You can get an acumen of the taciturnity of the Nagas through the tribal dances. These dances are tribe specific and people wear vibrant attires, gaudy jewelery and of course a sweet smile. The dances are named after the hand and leg gestures and movements of the dancers. Be it a festival or a ceremony, harvest or recreation, Nagas always have a reason to celebrate and rejoice by dancing. Their dances full of liveliness and they use props generously.

Nagland Art & Culture

Nagaland - Destination Unexplored

One of the smallest states of the Indian Union, Nagaland is yet to be explored, as far as tourist destinations are concerned. Nagaland is entirely a remote terrain and the mesmerizing sceneries surrounding it makes Nagaland, a place worth a visit for those adventurous in spirit.

Nagaland consists of the former Naga hills districts of Assam and the former Tuensang frontier divisions. Administered earlier by the President, Nagaland was made a state on 1st December 1963. Nagaland consists of seven Administrative Districts, inhabited by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. Each tribe is distinct in character from the other in terms of customs, language and dress.

The People of Nagaland

The Nagas are a handsome and friendly people. High cheek bones, almond eyes, sparkling teeth and bronzed skin set the Nagas apart. In colourful tribal outfits, with bamboo shields sheathed in bear skin and decorated spears, the Nagas are simple people,
almost entirely tribal. There are 16 tribes, each having its own dialect, customs and traditional costumes, with the familiar link being their love for music, dance and pageantry. The social position of a Naga is borne out by the number of bone necklaces he wears.

The Major Naga Tribes

Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Kuki, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Sangtam, Yimchungru, Zeliang.

The Nagas belong to the Indo-Mongoloid family. The fourteen major Naga tribes are the Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khemungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sema, Yimchunger and Zeliang. The Chakhesangs were earlier known as Eastern Angamis and are a combination of the Chakri, Khezha and Sangtam sub-tribes. Now the Chakhesang tribe is split further; Pochury's who were earlier a part of it now claim a unique entity.

Each tribe has their own languages and cultural features. The population has shown a steady growth. The Naga's have different stories about their origin. The Angamis, Semas, Rengams and the Lotha's subscribe to the Kheza-Kenoma legend.

The Naga Appearance

The hill tribes in the areas now known as Nagaland had no common term applicable to the entire race. The word 'Naga' was given to these hill tribes by the plains people. This proved to be a great unifying force to the tribes now classified as Naga. Nagas are of sub-medium height, the facial index is very low, the nasal index corresponds to a medium nose, the hair is generally straight, the skin is brownish yellow. The eyes significantly do not show Mongolian form.

It could broadly be said that they are straight forward people, honest, hardworking, sturdy and with a high standard of integrity.

Fairs & Festivals of Nagaland

The festivals of Nagaland are mostly associated with agricultural operations. The important thing about the Naga festivals is their composite character. The Naga community as a whole participates in the celebrations of ceremonial functions. There are certain programmes stretching over a specified period, in which all the village folks participate.

Their are 16 tribes and sub-tribes altogether in Nagaland. All the tribes celebrate the festival in their own distinct way. Their are numerous festivals in Nagaland celebrated through out the year with pomp and gaiety.

Some of the festivals in the celebrated by the Naga people are :

Horn Bill Festival Moatsü Nazu Sekrenyi Tuluni

Yemshe Sankarni Chakhesang Khilunyie Rengma Ngadah

Music & Dance of Nagaland

Music is an important accompaniment to any festival. The themes have a wide spectrum of variety. They may glorify a tradition, extol a specific act of heroism, narrate an important event of the recent past or relate to a love story.

Tribal dances of the Nagas give us an insight into the inborn reticence of these people. War dances and dances belonging to distinctive tribes, form the major art form in Nagaland. In colourful costumes and jewelry, the dancers go through arresting mock war motions, that may prove very dangerous, if one were to be a little careless. Festivals, marriages, harvests, or just the moment of enetertaiment - occasions for the Nagas to burst into music & dance.

The Occupation of Nagas

Cultivation on terraced fields, and in some cases Jhum or the shifting system of cultivation, is followed by the people of Nagaland in India. Rice is the important foodgrain. The process of industrialisation of the state is still in its childhood, but the requirement for more industries has been recognised. There are several plans on the anvil to increase industrial investment in the State.

 

Hornbill Festivals

Festival Details
Time : 1st week of December (Every year)
Venue : Kohima, Nagaland in India.
Celebrated By : All the tribes of Nagaland.
Duration : 8 days

The Festival
Nagaland known as the land of ‘Naga’ people is also the land of festivals with one festival followed by another round the year. In order to facilitate tourists to have a glimpse of all the Naga festivals at one time and one place, the Government of Nagaland has evolved a festival called Hornbill Festival, which is celebrated at Kohima, the capital town of Nagaland. The Hornbill Festival celebrated between 1st & 5th of December every year. The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is aimed at reviving, protecting and sustaining richness of the Naga heritage and traditions. This is done through cultural extravaganza worth experiencing.

The state of Nagaland boasts 16 major tribes. The names of the tribes are not a typical recitation of Indian ethnic groups - the Angamis, the Aos, the Chakhesangs, the Konyaks, the Kukis, the Kacharis, the Sumis, the Changs, the Lothas, the Pochurys. All the tribes are noted for their unique character. Nagaland’s calendar is filled with various tribal fests throughout the year.

In the year 2000, Nagaland’s government decided to have all of the state’s tribes engage in a common festival. Thus was born the Hornbill Festival, which is celebrated the in the first week of December in the Nagaland's capital city - Kohima.

The Activities

 
The state of Nagaland still supports a tribal culture and here at the Hornbill Festival, in the state capital Kohima, this is celebrated with a series of performances and demonstrations. The Festival is named after the hornbill, a globally respected bird that shows up in the folklore of most of the state’s tribes. This one week long festival unite all of the Nagaland, in one giant colour-splashed hodgepodge of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies. The festival both exposes the culture and tradition of tribal people and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as an unique state in India’s federal union.

Traditional arts are also featured, with paintings, wood carvings and sculptures by modern Naga artists on display. Naga troupes sing folk songs, perform traditional dances and play indigenous games and sports. In the evenings a programme of music concerts, catering for all tastes, ensure that the festive spirit continues through the night.

Moatsü

Time    :           1^st         week   of         May.
Venue : Mokokchung, Nagaland in India.
Celebrated     By        : Ao Tribe.
Duration         :           One     Week.

The Festival

Moatsu Festival is celebrated by the Ao tribe of Nagaland. Moatsu is celebrated in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done. The Moatsu festival provides the Aos a period of recreation and entertaiment after the stressful work of clearing fields, burning jungles and sowing seeds, cleaning up the Tsubu (Wells) and repairs and construction of houses by elders of the Putu Menden, stretching over a week. The Moatsu festival is marked by peppy songs and dances.
The whole festival with full of merry making and fun is observed only for three days from 1st to 3rd of May. During this festival one of the symbolic celebrations is Sangpangtu, where a big fire is lit and men and women sit around it. Men & women putting on the complete best attire and the womenfolk serve the wine and meat. Righteous man who lives by the guidance of the Almighty forecast whether good or evil days are awaiting the people and the village by readings of the celebration of the Moatsü festival.

The Customs & Rituals

The natural customary practice of the forefathers was competing in making the best rice-beer and rearing the best possible pigs and cows to be slaughtered during the festival. The womenfolk weave the best of traditional garments and adorn themselves with all their fineries. They join the men folk in dancing, eating and drinking and composing warrior songs. Singing songs in praise of the lover and the village as a whole is done and the older men folk encourages the young people to be bold and heroic to defend and protect them from enemies as head-hunting was practiced during the fore-fathers time.

The Principal Aim of the Festival

The principal aim of this festival is to invoke Almighty God’s blessings after finishing the diverse   activities,         such            as         :

- Repairs and construction of houses by elders of the    Putu          Menden           (Village            Council)

-           Marriages in spring season

-           Ploughing of old and new Jhum Kheti

-           Cleaning up the Tsubü (Water Wells)

On completion of all these manifold activities celebration of Moatsü Mong takes place.

Nazu Festival

Time    :           February.
Celebrated     By        :Pochury          Tribes.
Venue :   Phek,           Nagaland       in         India.
Duration         :           10       Days.

The Festival

The Nazu festival is one of the most merrymaking festivals of the Pochury tribe of Nagaland. This gala event is celebrated for 10 days in the month February prior to the sowing of seeds for the year. The festival is celebrated with must glitter and gaiety. Songs and dances are performed by the Pochury tribe during this occasion. Khupielilie dance is one of them performed by the women folk of the Pochury tribe. It is more entertaining      and            competitive     than    ritualistic.

The Dress Worn by the Dancers

The dancers wear Ascunyi (Ribbon like head dress), Kiileniinyi (Long mekhala worn from the chest down to the calf), Achulhre (Necklace like ornament worn round the waist over the Killeniinyi), Akhi (Armlet), Akhusa (Bangle for forearm) and beautiful necklaces called Asker. This dance is noted for the harmonious movements of hands and legs along with the songs of different tunes and beats.

Sekrenyi Festival

Time    :           February.
Venue :           Nagaland       in         India.
Celebrated     By        :           AngamiTribe.
Duration         :           10        Days.

The Festival

The festival of Sekrenyi is celebrated in the month of February by the Angamis of Nagaland in India.
Sekrenyi normally falls in the 25th day of the Angami month of "Kezei". This 10 day festival of Sekrenyi is also called Phousnyi by the Angamis.

The Rituals

The Festival follows a series of ritual and ceremony. The first of the rituals is "Kizie". A few drops of rice water taken from the top of the jug called "Zumho", are put into leaves and placed at the three main posts of the house by the lady of the household.
The first day begins with all young and old men going to the village well to bathe. In the night, two young men go to the well to clean it. After the cleaning of the well, some of the village youth guard the well in the night as no one is allowed to fetch water after cleaning of the well. The womenfolk, especially, are not allowed to touch the well water. Hence, they have to see that water is fetched for the household before the cleaning of the well.

Early the next morning, all the young men of the village rise to take a bathe at the well. The whole process is carried out in a ceremonial manner. The young men will don two new shawls (the white Mhoushü and the black Lohe) and sprinkle water on their breast, knees and on their right arm. This ceremony is called "Dzuseva" (touching the sleeping water) and it assures them that all their ills and misfortunes have been washed away by the purified well water. When they return from the well, a cock is sacrificed by throttling it with bare hands. It is taken as a good omen when the right leg falls down. The innards of the fowl are taken out and hung outside the house for the village elders to come and inspect it. Beginning from the fourth day of the festival, a three-day session of singing and feasting begins.

The Most Important Part of the Festival

The Thekra Hie is the best part of the festival where the young people of the village sit together and sing traditional songs throughout the day. Jugs of rice beer and plates of meat are placed before the participants. On the seventh day, the young men go for hunting. The most important ceremony falls on the eighth day, when the bridge-pulling or gate-pulling is performed, or inter-village visits are exchanged. Until the close of the festival, no one goes to the fields and all field works cease during this season of feasting and song.

The young unmarried girls with closely shaven heads sit down with the bronzed youth and sing tuned of past ages, recreating past where no care touched the human soul.

Tuluni Festival

Time    :           July.
Venue :           Nagaland       in         India.
Celebrated     By:       Sumi    Nagas.

The Festival

Tuluni Festival the most is important festival of the Sumi Nagas in Nagaland. Tuluni Festival in Nagaland is celebrated during the second week of July, a season of bounty in Nagaland. Tuluni is marked with feasts as the occasion occurs in the fruitful season of the year. This festival is celebrated with great pomp by the Sumi tribe of Nagaland.

Sumis have two different clan-heads, viz. Swu (Sumi) and Tuku (Tuku). By virtue of two separate clans the gennas differs. All the gennas and rituals differ between Sumi and Tuku. Among all other festivals and gennas Sumis in general accepted this all festival of Tuluni as most grand and important one.

The Rituals

Tuluni is a festival of great importance. Rice beer is served in a goblet made with the leaf of plantain. This wine is called Tuluni. Therefore, consumption of the wine is called "Tuluni". Tuluni is also called "Anni" the word which denote the season of plentiful crops. This festival is the greatest and most enthusiastic moment for the Sumi Community of Nagaland.

Fiance is invited for a grand dinner at the fiancee’s residence. In this festival young engaged couples exchange basketful of gifts. Engaged couples are settled at this period. Even siblings of the families of both the bride and groom exchanges dinner and packed food and meats. It is a time of fun even for the baby-sitters. At this day they are          fed       lavishly            with     food     and      meat.

Cultivators generally work in groups and specially for Anni (Festival) they keep budged with either pigs or cows are procured and the butchered animals are shared among the members. The served meat is used for group feast. In the middle of the feast group leaders gets extra offer of meat by way of feeding them by others. Each working group comprises of 20 to 30 members, including several women too. The new recruits are also made to add the group at this grand feast.

The enthusiasm of the feast is accorded with a chain of folk songs and ballads.

 

Yemshe Festival

Time : First week of October ( 5th of October).
Venue : Kohima
Celebrated By : Pochury Tribe of Nagaland.
Duration : From the last week of September to first week of October.

The Festival

October is the month of festivity for the Pochury tribe of Nagaland, who anxiously awaits every year to celebrate their greatest festival Yemshe. The arrival of the new harvest is celebrated with full fun & fair is during Yemshe festival. All the Pouchuries, young and old, rich and poor ceremonialize this festival with great pomp and show expecting a good harvest which they deserve after a year’s hard work under stewing sun and relentless rain. No one is allowed to harvest, until the whole festival is over.

The Period of Festival

Generally, the festival begins at the end of September with different categories of ceremonial ritual till the final day which falls in the first week of October every year. Yemshe is observed only on the 5th October keeping in tune with the final days of the traditional    celebration      of         the       festival.

The Festive Rituals

As the time approaches, the Village Spokesman announces the arrival of Yemshe. The very next day of the festivities begin with the observance of the first part of rituals.

The Big Yemshe

This is the time for preparations all around. The village youth cleanse the whole village, footpaths, wells and fields and construct baskets making-cum-resting places. After all this the head of the family performs all the rituals. Necessary materials used in rituals are fastened to the main post of the entrance house. Engaged couples (fiance & fiancee) renew their relationship with exchange of food or wine and eat together. Many young couples come to know each other and get themselves engage during this period. Hence, this festival has great important and it is an enjoyable moment, especially for the young people and farmers in general. This is known as the Big Yemshe.

The Small Yemshe

The small Yemshe, like big Yemshe, is also celebrated with rituals. The purification of the house, a ritual feast has to be hosted by a rich family. All the villagers observe the period with great sacrament till the end of the period.

The Ritual to be Observed

The family who host the Purification Feast has to fulfill the following conditions before the feast day.

1. The family hosting the Purification Feast, has to provide wine to all families of the village.

2. The family has to host dance party of his (head of the family) age-group, men and women in the village and in Khel wise as well. Feast is given to the dancers, and meat is distributed to all his age-group friends.

3. Cutting of Bamboo Mugs takes place twice. All the host’s clansmen/nephews make new bamboo mugs. They take wine from these mugs, which is kept with the host. All the old Mugs are collected from every house and kept in the host’s family for drinking wine.

4. Only paddy rice is arranged (not millet, maize etc.) and distributed to all the houses by the host and later the cooked rice is again collected and redistributed to all the families in the village.

5. All the clansmen take one Mithun and a Chicken to a river on the way to the Jhum field and feast. They construct a resting shed there for the host of the Purification Feast. It is believed that in the second life, those who have not hosted the Purification Feast can not sigh with a deep breath as ‘ewhi’, but can only say ‘Korowhi’ and those who have not performed the Resting Shed Feast they can only say ‘owhi’.

6. For reserving of frogs, one axe each for three rivers is given to the villagers as frogs in these three rivers are reserved. This is followed by giving out a big feast to all the village elders. After that, it is announced in the village that frogs are reserved by the host of Purification or Yemshe Festival and no other should go to these rivers to catch it.

7. After wine and food is arranged, the master of the festival asks his villagers to fetch him pine-wood and he gives a big feast to his villagers. Men takes 6 pieces of meat while women takes  only     5          pieces.

8. All the clansmen carry well-prepared food and wine and go to the reserved rivers and make bridges/ladders for frogs catchers to enable them to go to any part of the river. At the same time, they eat and drink and enjoy on their own. This is a       part     of         many   games they     play.

9. A chicken is kept in a cage on a selected tree on the way to the field. After that a selected group go to that spot with dried frogs where chickens were kept and have a feast there. Every household has to perform this ritual. Even the poorest family has to perform this ritual by roasting brinjal instead of frogs and chicken.

10. It is traditionally believed that the most fertile lands were under the control of devils. Sacrificial rituals also therefore have to be performed according to the fertility of the land. For the most fertile land a Mithun has to be sacrificed, then a pig and for the less fertile land a chicken has to be sacrificed in the field. Two big gourds of wine is carried, one for halfway and the other for sacrificial consumption. While coming back from their fields a particular group does not mix up with another group. So, a Mithun group, Pig group and Chicken group shall come back home separately. Likewise, wine is         also      taken  separately.

The Final Feast

After all the arrangements like collection of green vegetables, meat etc. and performances of rituals are completed, the master selects 6 supervisors; two for washing ginger, four to supervise the butchers for preparation of the feast for the whole village. All young and old will come and help the host in preparation of the feast. In this feast, Mithun, Pigs and Chicken are slaughtered. If there is no Mithun three pigs substitute a Mithun. Womenfolk pound rice and cook while the menfolk is busy for meat, and other difficult jobs. By sundown, all villagers, from youngest to the oldest come together to attend                 the       great   feast.
Few quantities of all sorts of food stuff and rice grains etc. is shared and offered to the dead souls as farewell gifts and greetings of the Yemshe Feast.

The last day of the feast will be impressively observed as the feast cleansing day. All remain at home and no one do anything and go on journey or anywhere. From the very next day all types of harvest and collection of house constructional materials etc. begins, as the happiest moment for the farmers has come with the blessing of Go
 
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