Nagaland

Nagaland

Nagaland is a mountainous state in northeast India, bordering Myanmar. It's home to diverse indigenous tribes, with festivals and markets celebrating the different tribes' culture. Its capital city of Kohima suffered heavy fighting in World War II, commemorated by memorials at the Kohima War Cemetery. The Nagaland State Museum exhibits ancient weaponry, a ceremonial drum and other traditional Naga cultural artifacts.

Art and craft

Though the main occupation of the Nagaland people is irrigation, they have been blessed with dexterity, especially the women. The ordinary metals such as iron, brass and tin are used to make exquisite jewellery in the form of armlets, neckbands, bangles and much more. Beads are also used to make beautiful necklaces.

The Nagas have carried their traditional art of weaving by knitting unique colours and designs producing shawls, shoulder bags, table mats, etc which reflect the integrity and soul of their ancient dynamics. The present generation has stepped into the fashion industry producing the fabrics that represent the amalgamation of ancestral motifs and modern appeal. The tourists get mesmerised by such a beautiful display of handicrafts and tend to buy a lot of souvenirs. The craft is not just limited to fabric and metals, wooden carvings and bamboo works are also an essential part of the craft of these people.

Folk dance and music

Owing to the joie de vivre nature of Nagas, dance and music are an essential part of their culture. The tribal dance and music will set your feet tapping. The dance is generally performed in groups on the folk songs perfectly synchronised with music through various musical instruments such as Asem (drums), Tati, Mouth Organ, Bamboo Flute, etc. The tribal dance becomes more extravagant by the virtue of the colourful and unique traditional costumes and jewellery. The folk songs narrate the stories of bravery, romance and historic incidents. Certainly, this place has some fantastic taste in dance and music.

Nagaland  food

Nagaland might be small when measured geographically but culturally it has many flavours endowed. The traditions, fairs, festivals, art and craft of the various tribes are full of vibrant colours and energy. The zest with which people live here is inspirational. One must make the Nagaland people as their host and cherish the culture at par along with the stellar geography of the place.

The soft and sweet spoken Nagaland people do not mind spiciness in their food. The kitchen in every household of Nagaland has some good deal of spices stored. Even the ginger used by the people in this region is different from the regular one. The spiciness and aroma which their ginger comprises are hard to find elsewhere. Nagaland is the home of Bhut Jolokia, one of the spiciest chillies in the world.

The people here prefer steaming their food to frying. All the tribes have distinct cuisines which use meat, fish and fermented products extensively. The locally grown herbs, ghost peppers, ginger and garlic are used a lot in almost all the dishes.

Nagaland cultuer

A land of tribes, Nagaland is an abode amongst the hills yet to be explored. The picturesque state has stellar landscapes, beautiful tea gardens, high mountains, and vibrant culture.

Nagaland exquisitely rich in flora and fauna and is a habitat to some of the dandiest plants and animals, not leaving behind the beautiful birds to which this place is home. Owing to its diversity in birds, Nagaland is referred to as, The Falcon Capital of The World. Nagaland supports a flamboyant tribal culture which leaves anybody visiting the place amazed and dazzled.

nagaland culture, culture of nagaland

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The Long-living Tribes: The Essence of Naga Culture and Tradition

Nagaland has an ancient history of tribes whose count sums to be as much as 66 including the sub-tribes. Out of these, 16 are considered as major tribes. With a difference in language, all tribes have a similar leafy dress code, eating habits and traditional laws. Nagas are mostly Christians. The state is regarded as the most Baptist state in the world as 75% of it is dominated by them. Soft-heartedness and hospitality of Nagas leave anyone visiting the place astounded. They have a zest for life and are very exuberant when it comes to celebrating festivals or any other day of equal significance.

Flora and fuma of Nagaland

Nagaland exquisitely rich in flora and fauna and is a habitat to some of the dandiest plants and animals, not leaving behind the beautiful birds to which this place is home. Owing to its diversity in birds, Nagaland is referred to as, The Falcon Capital of The World. Nagaland supports a flamboyant tribal culture which leaves anybody visiting the place amazed and dazzled.

Best places for visit in Nagaland

Naga heritage village

A village situated in the outskirts of Kohima, Naga Heritage Village in Kisama seeks to preserve and promote the culture and traditions of the Naga people. The name Kisama itself is an amalgamation of two Naga villages, namely, Kigwema (KI) and Phesama(SA) and MA (Village).

Shiloli lake

A beautiful foot shaped lake in the heart of the Patkai range of Nagaland, Shilloi Lake is a very picturesque destination with verdant valley surrounding it from all sides. The lake is considered very important by the folks of Latsum village as it is believed that the spirit of a holy child rests in the bottom of the lake. It is one of the reasons why no one fishes or uses the lake water for drinking and irrigation.

In the beautiful and calm surroundings of the Patkai Range in the easternmost corner of Nagaland is situated a small and exquisite lake known as Shilloi. Shilloi Lake is shaped in the form of a human foot and is about four meters deep.

The First Green Village of India"

Khonoma Village

A town belonging to the 'Angami Naga' ethnic group of Nagaland, Khonoma Village is a one-of-its-kind project in the country. Located about 20 km from the state capital of Kohima, Khonoma village is a Green Village, where all forms of hunting have been abolished for a more sustainable ecosystem. It is testament to the will power of the tribal groups of Nagaland to protect and conserve their natural habitat. The resident Naga tribes here are traditionally dependent on nature for their food and have strong hunting practices. However, they have given up on their centuries old heritage for a more sustainable way of life with nature.

An ambitious project of converting a whole tribal village into an eco-friendly, conservation based village certainly also yields fantastic views. Nesteled at the base of the mountains of Nagaland you would pass through misty valleys, gently sloping hillocks, terraced farms, and an air of a strong bond with nature. The village not only resisted the colonial invasion back in the 1800's but it also put a formidable defense against the Timber merchants in the early 2000's, eventually causing them to retreat!

The Japfu Peak 

 some 25 km south of Kohima, Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak offer one of the most breathtaking landscapes of the continent. Nagaland is called the 'Switzerland of the East' and Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak provide solid proof to that moniker. Dzukou valley and Japfu Peak trek is an absolute must for all trekking enthusiasts.

Dzukou valley

standing tall at 3048 meters is the second highest peak in Nagaland and provides the perfect vantage point for admiring the heavenly beauty of the Dzukou Valley. Dzukou valley is also known as the "Valley of Flowers of the east" and is quite a sight to behold, when in full bloom. Dzukou Valley is considered to be the base of the crater of an old volcano and seems like covered with a carpet of the most exquisite species of grass and flowers. The highest point in the Dzukou valley is at 2600 meters and provides a wide and panoramic view of the enchanting valley in the front. Sitting atop the hill you are just overwhelmed by the sheer beauty and magnificence of the sight in front of you.

Mon

Home of the Konyaks nagas, Mon provides tourists with a unique and quite mesmerizing view of tattooed faces wearing feathery loincloths.

Phek is a hilly area rich in flora and fauna. Apart from the spell bounding hills, Shilloi lake is an important attraction.

Tuensang is the headquarters of the Tuensang district, the easternmost, largest district of Nagaland, and flanked by Myanmar on its right side. It is one of the largest urban centres in Nagaland along with Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung, making it a top tourist destination in the state of Nagaland.

Dimapur Tourism

Known to be the largest and fastest growing city of Nagaland, most travellers come to this city in transit because of the airport situated in the city. Some of the few attractions here are: Triple Falls, Kachari Ruins, the Nagaland science center and the zoological park.

The boundary of the eastern part is covered by Dhansiri River, while the western part of the district consists mostly of forests and hills.

Mokokchung Tourism

The most significant urban centre in all of Nagaland after Dimapur and Kohima and the home of Ao Naga.

The popular tourist spots in the area include the District Museum, the Town main park, (located just above the Town Center), Unman village (which is regarded as the oldest and largest) and the Ao village. In addition, visitors might also be interested in exploring places like Longkhum, Langpangkong, Mopungchukit and Chuchuyimlang located within the district. Since agriculture constitutes the main occupation in the area, festivals during the sowing and harvesting months are sure to enhance the tourist's experience.

Kohima

Kohima is the hilly capital of Nagaland, which is one of the seven sister states of India. ‘Kohima’ is the anglicized name given by the British, the original name being 'Kewhira' derived from the Kewhi flowers found in the region. Famous for its ethereal environment and untouched beauty, it is a land of folklore passed down through the ages. Situated at a height of 1500 metres above the sea level, it is endowed with quaint hills, emerald forests and a picturesque landscape. It is the go-to place for all you adventure enthusiasts as it is ideal for trekking, camping and hiking.

Kohima was built by the British and is home to the Naga and Kulkis tribe who can amaze one with their independence and a mystical and colourful culture that surrounds them. Kohima finds its place in history as the site of an intense fight with the Japanese, a part of a 64 day long battle during the World War II. One of the most popular sits here include the Commonwealth War Cemetery which homes thousands of soldiers of the World War II. Other than that, the city has a lot more to offer to its visitors - a museum, zoo, sanctuary, valleys, self governing villages and much more.

Nagaland is known as the 'Land of Festivals' and one such grand carnival, organized by the State Tourism of Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland is 'Hornbill festival'. Also known as ''Festival of Festivals", this is a commonly celebrated being a traditional cluster of all the seventeen Naga tribes, to promote intercultural harmony. It hardly has any featureless moments and provides a lifetime opportunity to know about ancient tribal lives through the exploration of the structure of tribal huts, which is dated back to primaeval lifestyles including other instruments like drums, gongs, costumes and wooden carvings.

Pfutsero.

Pfutsero is a small town known for being the coldest inhabited town of Nagaland, dropping below -0°C. At 2,133m amsl, it boasts of highest altitude among towns in Nagaland, Glory Peak being the highest point. The lakes in Pfutsero freeze during winters, adding to the Christmas spirit, a revered festival for the predominantly-Christian locals. Cherry blossoms occasion this picturesque, historical town for two weeks in March-April when the Chakesang families celebrate Tsukhenye festival.

Block headquarters of Phek district, it is inhabited by Chakesang and Kheza Nagas. The Baptist Theological College here is amongst the oldest and renowned theological colleges in Nagaland.

Touphema Village

On a green and verdant hillock, lies the township called Touphema Village. Built by the local community in partnership with the Tourism Department of Nagaland, Touphema Village is a collection of small huts built and decorated in traditional Naga design sensibilities. The village intends on giving the tourists the feel of living in a Naga tribal house.

Touphema village situated about a hundred kilometres from Dimapur and is a wonderful tribute to the culture, lifestyle and the people of Nagaland. Living at the village teaches you so much about country life and Naga culture in particular that it becomes an experience in itself. It is a highly popular place to visit in Nagaland and deservedly so. Make sure you book in advance in order to enjoy the experience. In addition to the stay and food, the attractions include traditional Naga performances such as folk dances and the retelling of folk tales.

Nicknamed as the ?Land of Festivals?, Nagaland is a quaint state in the north-east part of the country and is one of the most-loved hill station tourist destinations in India. Nagaland is as much about scenic beauty as it is about carefully preserved history and tradition, and a visit to this mesmerising state will open up a vista of things you can see and do to make your holiday a memorable one. Inhabited by the tribes who are very protective towards their culture and identity, Nagaland is another name for beauty and bounty. Colourful costumes, spicy cuisines, pleasant weather, traditional villages, beautiful dance forms and lyrical songs are all that define the north-eastern state of Nagaland.

Nagaland has many places to offer to nature lovers; Japfu Peak, Dzukou Valley, Shilloi Lake are some of the places where people can find nature in its bounty. Like the other north-eastern states, Nagaland is also rich in culture with a variety of tribes. As all the tribes have their festivals and ceremonies, Nagaland is always ready to welcome a festival with great joy, and gaiety and food remain as much a part of the celebration as the dances and songs. Naga people eat almost anything that they can lay their hands on, be it dog, pork, snails or even an elephant and no part of the animal is wasted be it the skin or intestine. It shows how much they relish food and drinks. These jolly, colourful and crafty people are the soul of the state while nature attracts tourists from all over the world.

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