Tribes of Nagaland

Nagaland is a state in Northeast India with lots of hills. There are 17 big groups of people called tribes in Nagaland. And there are many smaller groups too. These tribes are called Nagas. They are part of a bigger family called Indo-Mongoloid. They talk in a language called Tibeto-Burman. Each tribe is different from the others. They have their own special ways of doing things, like customs, language, and clothes. Here are the names of the 17 tribes: Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Konyak, Kheimungan, Kachari, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sumi, Sangtam, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and Zeliang.

The Nagas are known for being friendly and welcoming. They have colorful festivals and play music to celebrate the different seasons. English is the main language they use in Nagaland. But they also speak a mix of Assamese and other languages called Nagamese.

Different Tribes of Nagaland

There are 17 different tribes of Nagaland which are written in detail below:

16 Tribes of Nagaland

Here all the 16 tribes of Nagaland:

1. Angami
2. Ao
3. Chakhesang
4. Chang
5. Kachari
6. Khiamniungan
7. Konyak
8. Kuki
9. Lotha
10. Phom
11. Pochury
12. Rengma
13. Sangtam
14. Sumi
15. Yimchunger
16. Zeliang

There is one more tribe name “Tikhir” so there are 17 tribes of Nagaland:

Also Check

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• Tribes of Manipur
• Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes

Tribes of Nagaland and Their Population

Here is the list of tribes of Nagaland with population:

Major Tribes of Nagaland

Nagaland, a place in northeastern India, has 16 main tribes and many smaller tribes. Each tribe has its own special traditions, languages, and clothes. Here are the major tribes of Nagaland:

Konyak Tribe of Nagaland

The Konyak tribe is a famous group of people who live in Nagaland, a place in Northeast India. They have a special and interesting way of life and traditions.

Culture and Lifestyle: The Konyak people live in villages, and each village is led by a chief called the ‘Angh’. Long ago, they used to do something called headhunting, but they stopped doing that around 70 years ago when they became Christians. They remember this by having tattoos on their faces and bodies. The men also wear colorful shawls with special patterns to show their achievements.

Language: The Konyak people speak a language called Konyak, and it’s a bit different from one village to another.

Art and Craft: They are very good at making things out of wood and making guns. They make beautiful carvings in their houses and places where young people sleep and learn important things.

Festivals: Their biggest celebration is called Aoleang Monyu, and they have it in April to welcome spring. They have a lot of fun during this time, with lots of food, dancing, and singing. They also show off their culture by wearing their traditional clothes and doing dances and songs.

Religion: Long ago, they believed in spirits and their ancestors. But when Christian teachers came, many of them became Christians. But some of their old beliefs still continue.

Society: One interesting thing about the Konyak people is that they follow a special system where family and inheritance come from the mother’s side, which is different from other Naga tribes.

Angami tribe of Nagaland

The Angami tribe is one of the main groups of people in Nagaland, a state in Northeast India. They are known for their special customs and way of life. Most of them live in the Kohima district and some in the Dimapur district.

Culture and Way of Life: The Angami society is divided into different groups, each with its own special traditions. They are good at farming, especially on terraces, which is a big part of their life. They are also skilled at making things from bamboo, cane, pottery, and wood.

Language: The Angamis speak the Angami language, which is similar to other languages in the area. But it can be a bit different from one village to another.

Art and Crafts: The Angami people make art and craft that show their love for nature and farming. They wear colorful clothes, with women having pretty shawls and men wearing warrior shawls. They are also known for their beautiful baskets and pottery.

Festivals: The most important Angami festival is called ‘Sekrenyi,’ which happens in February. It’s a time for special rituals and ceremonies. They celebrate with music, dance, and by wearing their fancy clothes.

Religion: A long time ago, the Angamis believed in natural things and their ancestors. But since the early 1900s, many of them started following Christianity, which changed some of their beliefs and traditions.

Community: The Angami tribe has a strong sense of togetherness. They live in big villages that are well-organized and protected. The village leaders, who are older and wiser, help make decisions for the group.

Feasts of Merit: A unique thing about Angami culture is the ‘Feasts of Merit.’ If someone can host a big feast, they get a lot of respect and honor. These feasts often come with big memorial stones.

AO Tribe of Nagaland

The Ao tribe is one of the big groups of people in Nagaland, a state in Northeast India. They are famous for their special culture and history. The Ao folks mainly live in a place called Mokokchung District in Nagaland. This place is known as the center for culture and thinking in the state.

Their Way of Life: The Ao tribe has a lively culture with colorful clothes and old customs. They live in villages that are well-organized and led by village councils. In the past, their society had three groups: the ‘Lungri’ (nobles), ‘Amur’ (commoners), and ‘Semong’ (slaves). But these groups have become less important, especially since Christianity came.

Language: The Aos speak the Ao language, which is part of a bigger group of languages called Tibeto-Burman. The way they talk can be a bit different from one village to another.

Art and Craft: The Ao tribe is famous for their skill in weaving, especially making shawls. Each shawl design shows a certain status or achievement. The men’s shawl called ‘Tsungkotepsu’ and the women’s shawl ‘Opvuram’ are well-known. Their traditional clothes are colorful and unique, often made by hand.

Festivals: The biggest festival for the Ao tribe is ‘Moatsu Mong’, and they celebrate it in early May. It’s a time for eating, singing, and dancing, and it shows that they finished planting seeds in the fields. Another important festival is ‘Tsungrem Mong’, which is about wishing for good things.

Religion: At first, the Ao tribe believed in Animism and worshiped their ancestors. But in the late 19th century, Christianity came, and most of them became Christians.

Society and Contributions: The Ao tribe did a big job in bringing education to Nagaland. They were one of the first Naga tribes to follow Christianity and learn things from the West. The Ao people also have a strong tradition of stories, songs, and tales that are very important to their culture.

Kachari tribe of Nagaland

The Kachari tribe, also called Dimasa Kachari, is an important group of people who live in the northeastern part of India, including Nagaland. They have a special history and culture.

History: The Kacharis have been around for a very long time and lived in the Brahmaputra Valley. They used to have big kingdoms and talked with many other groups of people in the area.

Culture and Lifestyle: The Kachari tribe has a cool culture with unique dances, music, and celebrations. One famous dance is called the ‘Baishagu dance,’ and they do it during the Baishagu festival in April. This festival marks the start of the new year, and they celebrate with lots of music and dancing.

Language: The Kacharis speak a language called Dimasa, which is important to their identity and culture.

Art and Crafts: The Kacharis are good at making things with their hands, especially weaving. They make beautiful patterns on their traditional clothes, which are an important part of their culture. The women are especially skilled at this.

Religion: In the past, the Kacharis believed in animism, which means they worshiped nature and their ancestors. But as time passed, many of them started following Hinduism, and some also became Christians.

Society: The Kachari tribe has a system where they are divided into clans. Their social organization is connected to their traditional beliefs and practices. They are known for a system where family and inheritance are traced through the mother.

Current Scenario: In Nagaland, there are not as many Kacharis as other tribes like the Nagas and Kukis. But even though they are a smaller group, they still keep their unique culture and traditions alive. The Kacharis have also been important in the politics and social life of the region.

Kuki tribe of Nagaland

The Kuki tribe is an important group of people in Nagaland, Northeast India. They have a special culture and way of life. Many Kukis live in Nagaland, and they add to the different cultures there.

Culture and Lifestyle: The Kuki tribe is divided into groups called clans. Each clan has its own customs and social rules. They mainly work on farms, and they often use a type of farming called “jhum cultivation.” They live in villages on hills and their houses are usually made from bamboo and other things found nearby.

Language: The Kukis speak different forms of the Kuki-Chin language, which is part of the Tibeto-Burman language family. There are different versions of this language in various Kuki groups, but they have some things in common.

Art and Craft: The Kukis are good at making things with their hands, especially weaving. They make colorful and beautiful clothes, like shawls, skirts, and bags, using traditional methods. Women from the Kuki tribe are especially good at weaving.

Festivals: One important festival for the Kuki tribe is called ‘Chavang Kut.’ They celebrate it after they finish gathering crops from the fields. During this time, they have big feasts, dance, and play music. The festival is a way to say thank you and show their culture to others. It also helps them feel like one big family.

Religion: A long time ago, the Kukis believed in spirits and ancestors. But later, Christian missionaries came, and many Kukis started following Christianity. This changed their way of life and customs a lot.

Society: The Kuki society is mainly led by men, and things like family and property usually go to the sons. They are very close-knit and care a lot about their community and family. This is very important in their customs and way of life.

Sumi Tribe of Nagaland

The Sumi tribe is a big group of people in Nagaland, a place in Northeast India. They are famous for their special culture and for helping their community a lot. Most of them live in a district called Zunheboto, but you can also find some in other parts of Nagaland.

Culture and Lifestyle: The Sumi Nagas have colorful customs and they are known for being close-knit. In the past, they were known as strong fighters, and their society was based on this. Nowadays, they live like most people but still follow their old customs and beliefs. They are also famous for being very friendly and for caring about their community.

Language: The Sumi people speak a language called Sumi, which is part of a big family of languages. This language is very important to them and is used in their songs, stories, and special rituals.

Art and Craft: The Sumi tribe is good at making things, especially weaving. They make beautiful traditional shawls, and each design and color has a special meaning. They are also skilled at making things from bamboo and carving wood.

Festivals: They have many celebrations, but the most important one is called the Tuluni Festival, which happens in July. During this time, they eat a lot of delicious food, sing songs, and dance. It shows how happy they are when they have a good harvest.

Religion: Long ago, the Sumi people believed in spirits and their ancestors, like many others in Nagaland. But now, many of them follow Christianity. Even so, they still do some of their old customs and celebrations.

Society: The Sumi tribe has groups called clans, and each clan has its own special ways of doing things. The whole community is important in making decisions and keeping things in order. A group of wise elders and respected members, called the village council, helps run the village.

Nagaland Traditional Dance

Tribes of Nagaland and Their Festivals

Below is the list of Nagaland tribes and their festivals

Nagaland Traditional Dress

Backward Tribes of Nagaland

The state government in Nagaland helps certain tribes who are not as advanced as others. Backward tribes of Nagaland are recognized by the state government for the purpose of reservation in education, employment, and other benefits. Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Pochury, and Sangtam. They call these tribes “Backward Tribes.” Some other tribes in Nagaland also get help, like Chakhesang, Yimchunger, and Zeliang. These tribes get special help, like reserved spots for things like school and jobs, to make sure they have the same chances as everyone else.

Head Hunting Tribes of Nagaland

Nagaland, a state in Northeast India, is famous for its native tribes. Some of these tribes associated with headhunting a long time ago. One of the prominent headhunting tribes of Nagaland was the Konyak tribe, known for this practice. But it’s important to know they don’t do it anymore. The Konyak tribe is well-known for its rich culture and special traditions. The Ao Nagas, another indigenous group in Nagaland, were also historically known as a primitive headhunting tribe.

The headhunting thing was a big part of their old ways and was seen as brave and strong. But when Christianity and modern life came, headhunting stopped.Even though headhunting is part of their history, these tribes have changed and grown. Now, they share their unique traditions, festivals, and art, making Nagaland’s culture exciting and colorful.

The Konyak and Ao Nagas, along with other tribes in Nagaland, still keep their culture and traditions alive. Many people are curious to learn about and enjoy the special culture of this region.

FAQs on Tribes of Nagaland

How many tribes are there in Nagaland?

There are 17 major tribes in Nagaland, along with other sub-tribes. These tribes are distinct in character from each other in terms of customs, language, and dress. The major tribes of Nagaland are Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimchunger, and Zeliang.

Who are the oldest tribes of Nagaland?

Identifying the oldest tribe in Nagaland is challenging due to the region's ancient history. However, tribes like the Ao and the Angami are often considered among the oldest, with deep-rooted historical and cultural significance.

Who is the lost tribe of Nagaland?

The term 'lost tribe' is not typically used in the context of Nagaland's tribes. All Nagaland tribes are well-documented and recognized, each with its distinct identity and culture.

What is a female Naga called?

A female member of the Naga tribes is simply referred to as a 'Naga woman' or 'Naga lady.' There is no specific term that differentiates female members in the Naga community.

Which is the famous tribe of Nagaland?

Among the famous tribes of Nagaland, the Konyak tribe is particularly well-known. They are famous for their traditional tattoos, warrior history, and the Aoleang Monyu festival.

Which is the minor tribe of Nagaland?

While all tribes in Nagaland are important, some like the Khiamniungan, Phom, and Chang are smaller in population compared to tribes like the Ao or Angami, and might be considered minor in terms of population size.