PEOPLE
The population of Nagaland is entirely tribal. 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 spilt further;
Pochury's
who were earlier a part of it now claim a distinct entity. Each tribe has their
own languages and cultural features. Literacy is 61.30 %. The population has
shown a steady upward trend. The Naga's have different stories about their origin. The
Angamis, Semas,
Rengams and the Lotha's subscribe to the Kheza-Kenoma legend. It
is said that the village had a large stone slab having magical properties.
Paddy spread on it to be dried doubled in quantity by evening. The three sons of
the couple who owned the stone used it by rotation. One day there was a
quarrel between the sons as to whose turn it was. The couple, fearing
bloodshed, set fire to the stone which as a result cracked. It is believed
that the spirit in the stone went to heaven and the stone lost its miraculous
properties. The three sons thereafter left Kheza-Kenoma, went in different
directions and became the forefathers of the Angami, Sema and the Lotha
tribes. According to another legend, to which the western Angamis
subscribe, the first man evolved from a lake called Themiakelku zie near Khonoma. The Rengmas believe that until recently they and Lothas formed one
tribe. The Aos and the Phoms trace their origin to the Lungterok (six stones)
on the Chongliemdi hill. Some people believe that these Indo-Mongoloids are 'kiratas'
frequently mentioned in the old Sanskrit literature of whom 'Nagas' were a
sub-tribe.
The hill tribes in the areas now known as Nagaland had no generic term
applicable to the whole 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. They
are lacking in humility and are inclined to equate a kind and sympathetic
approach with weakness. The Nagas have a very strong sense of self
respect and would not submit to anyone riding roughshod over their
sentiments. The Angamis are politically the most conscious group. The Zeliang
and Pochury tribes in Kohima district are comparatively simple and unsophisticated. The Tuensang tribes are un-spoilt children of nature. A striking characteristic
of the Naga tribes is their hospitality and cheerfulness. To be greeted with a
smiling face while traveling on the roads is a common experience. A
visitor to Naga village is heartily received and entertained with a surfeit of
rice-beer, which is generally served by the lady of the house or her young
daughter with a warmth which is unforgettable.
|
