CULTURAL FESTIVALS OF NAGALAND AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE

607 Tribes and Customs in North-East India

Submitted by
Dipshikha Borah
UID- SF0121020
3rd year, 6th semester

Submitted to
Mr. Ishaan Borthakur
Adjunct Faculty of Law

National Law University and Judicial Academy Assam

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INTRODUCTION
“tribe” the best way to describe the loose alliances of today, groups that transcend the old ties of
kinship and language, united instead by ideology or aesthetic. Etymologically, “tribe” is fairly
neutral, from the Latin tribus, an administrative category designating a voting unit: that is, a body
of people endowed with a degree of political power.

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 and part of
Assam on the North and Manipur in the South. The State consists of 16 (Sixteen) Administrative
Districts, inhabited by 17 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. Each tribe is distinct in character
from the other in terms of customs, language and dress. It is a land of folklore passed down the
generations through word of mouth. Here, music is an integral part of life; folk songs eulogizing
ancestors, the brave deeds of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love songs immortalizing
ancient tragic love stories; Gospel songs that touch your soul or the modern tunes rendered
exquisitely to set your feet a-tapping.

Nagaland has no early written history, although medieval chronicles of the neighboring Ahom
kingdom of Assam tell of the Naga tribes, their economy, and their customs. The 1816 invasion of
Assam by Burmans from Myanmar led to oppressive Burman rule from 1819 until the
establishment of British rule over Assam in 1826. The advent of British administration, which by
1892 encompassed the whole of Naga territory (except the rugged Tuensang area in the northeast),
ended the practices of headhunting and intervillage raids.

After India became independent in 1947, the Naga territory initially remained a part of Assam.
However, a strong nationalist movement began seeking a political union of the Naga tribes, and
extremists demanded outright secession from the Indian union. This movement led to a number of
violent incidents, and in 1955 the Indian army was called in to restore order. In 1957, after an
agreement was reached between Naga leaders and the Indian government, the Naga Hills region
of Assam and the Tuensang frontier division to the northeast were brought together under a single
unit directly administered by the Indian government. Despite the agreement, unrest continued in
the form of noncooperation with the Indian government, nonpayment of taxes, sabotage, and

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attacks on the army. A further accord reached at the Naga People’s Convention meeting of July
1960 resolved that Nagaland should become a constituent state of the Indian union. Nagaland
achieved statehood in 1963, and a democratically elected government took office in 1964. Today,
more than 95% of Naga people identify as Christians, mostly Baptist. Article 371A of the Indian
Constitution provides special provision with respect to the state of Nagaland.

The Hornbill Festival

Every year, in Nagaland, India, the Hornbill Festival is a colourful display of the rich cultural
legacy of the Naga tribes. The celebration, which takes its name from the Great Indian Hornbill, a
bird highly respected in Naga culture, unites the sixteen main tribes of Nagaland, each with its
own distinctive rituals, traditions, and ways of life. The Hornbill Festival was started by the
Nagaland government in December 2000 with the intention of promoting the cultural legacy of the
Naga people and increasing tourism in the area. In Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival is held to
promote intertribal communication. The festival is held in the first week of December every year
with the goal of conserving and reviving the richness and distinctiveness of Naga history.
In Nagaland, the celebration is referred to as the "Festival of Festivals."

An important factor in the preservation and revival of indigenous Naga rituals has been the
Hornbill Festival. Native American games, music, dances, and traditional clothing are used by
each tribe to display their own culture. In addition to making the Naga people feel proud of their
cultural legacy, this open exhibition guarantees that these customs will be carried on by future
generations. The celebration provides a forum for elders to impart knowledge of their ancestors'
customs to younger generations, halting the loss of cultural identity due to modernity.

The event offers a variety of booths and displays where regional craftspeople present and market
their goods, which include ceramics, traditional shawls, wood carvings, and elaborate beading.
This promotes the survival of these age-old crafts in addition to giving these items a market. To
ensure that the talents are not lost over time, the government and other NGOs frequently hold
workshops during the festival to teach young craftsmen.
A platform for the expression of music and dance, which are essential components of Naga culture,
is provided by the Hornbill Festival. With the accompaniment of native musical instruments such

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as the mouth organ, bamboo flute, and log drum, each tribe performs their traditional dances. These
performances are profoundly ingrained in the social and spiritual life of the tribes; they are more
than just entertainment. Youth interest in traditional music and dance has increased as a result of
the festival, and bands and cultural troupes that fuse traditional sounds with contemporary genres
have been formed.
An integral part of the Hornbill Festival are the customary sports and activities. Sports like archery,
wrestling, and spear-throwing are displayed, showcasing the Naga warriors' physical strength and
expertise. These are not only physical competitions; these sports have deep cultural and historical
importance. The event contributes to preserving a connection to the past by reintroducing these
ancient sports into modern festivities.
Due to the Hornbill Festival's ability to draw visitors from all across India and the globe, the local
economy has benefited greatly. Increased business for local companies, eateries, and hotels has a
positive knock-on impact on Nagaland's economy as a whole. The increase in visitors brings in
money for neighborhood merchants, craftspeople, and service providers, boosting the local
economy.
The main festival destination, Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, has seen significant infrastructural
improvement in the area to handle the increasing number of guests. Not only have transport and
communication networks been improved, but also the local community and visitors have benefited
from these advancements. enhanced infrastructure has made it easier to reach outlying locations,
which has enhanced connection and given rural residents more economic options.
The Hornbill Festival brings individuals from different backgrounds together to promote
understanding and exchange of cultures. Visitors receive a personal look into Naga culture, which
helps to eliminate myths and misunderstandings. A feeling of global community is fostered by this
cultural immersion, which encourages respect and regard for one another. The celebration
promotes social cohesiveness and solidarity among the Naga people by providing a forum for
intertribal interaction.The festival brings up environmental issues even though it has many good
effects. The increase of tourists puts more strain on the area's resources and increases garbage
production. But during the event, initiatives are being made to encourage environmentally
beneficial behaviour. To lessen the influence on the environment, programmes including waste
segregation, recycling, and the usage of biodegradable materials are being put into place.

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During the Hornbill Festival, the Nagaland government is promoting sustainable tourism practices
in collaboration with many non-governmental organisations. Responsible tourism is emphasised,
and visitors are urged to respect the environment and local culture. In order to guarantee that local
communities’ profit from tourism and that their way of life is not negatively impacted, community-
based tourism projects are being pushed.
The Hornbill Festival has become a major source of tourism in Nagaland and a symbol of cultural
rebirth. The event has preserved ancient customs and given the Naga people a sense of pride by
presenting the rich cultural legacy of the Naga tribes. The tourist industry has yielded significant
economic advantages, promoting cultural understanding and interchange as well as the region's
growth. To ensure the festival's long-term success, it is imperative to handle the issues of regulating
the flood of tourists, striking a balance between tradition and modernity, and guaranteeing cultural
sensitivity.
The Hornbill Festival can live on as a celebration of Naga culture and a driver of socioeconomic
development in Nagaland as long as sustainable tourism and community involvement are
prioritised.

Traditional Festivals of the Ao, Angami, and Sumi Naga Tribes and Their Sociocultural
Importance

The rich cultural legacy of the Naga tribes of Nagaland, India, is widely celebrated via their
numerous traditional festivals. The social, cultural, and spiritual life of the tribes are profoundly
impacted by these festivals, which are more than just joyful occasions. The distinctive festivals of
the Ao, Angami, and Sumi tribes among the several Naga tribes are a reflection of their own
cultural identities.

The Ao Tribe: Moatsu Festival

One of the largest tribes in Nagaland, the Ao, celebrates the Moatsu Festival, which ushers in a
new cycle of agricultural operations and signals the conclusion of the planting season.
The first week of May marks the celebration of the Moatsu Festival, which comes after the planting
season ends. The Ao people should use this opportunity to unwind and savour the results of their
labour. Various rituals are performed throughout the festival with the intention of requesting

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heavenly blessings for an abundant crop. The Ao tribe's strong ties to the land and reliance on
farming are shown by their agricultural importance.
'Pongen,' the village priest, conducts ceremonies to please the gods and ask for protection from
illnesses and natural disasters during the Moatsu Festival. Livestock and farm products are offered
during these rituals. The ceremonies emphasise the Ao people's spirituality and respect for the
natural world. Vibrant cultural acts, such as traditional dances and singing, characterise the
celebration. The tribe's men and women participate in group dances like the "Sangpangtu" while
dressed in traditional garb. The tribe uses these performances to showcase and preserve its
traditional legacy. They also act as a channel for transferring customs to the next generation.
It is a time for community building during the Moatsu Festival. Villagers get together to eat
together, tell tales to one another, and build relationships. For the Ao tribe, this sense of community
is essential because it promotes harmony and collaboration. The Ao people get a chance to declare
their identity and heritage during the celebration.The Moatsu Festival upholds the traditional
values and social structure of the Ao people. It serves as a reminder of the value of community,
spirituality, and agriculture in their lives. The event encourages cultural continuity by including
the next generation in customs.

The Angami Tribe: Sekrenyi Festival

Another well-known tribe in Nagaland, the Angami, celebrates the Sekrenyi Festival, also called
the "Purification Festival." For the Angami people, this celebration is among the most important.
The main purpose of the February Sekrenyi Festival is cleansing. The males of the community
perform a ceremonial wash in a river or stream to start the rites, which are meant to purge them of
impurities. This purifying ceremony represents a fresh start and life rebirth. It is a reflection of the
Angami tribe's reverence for spiritual purity and hygiene.
'Thekra Hie,' a major Sekrenyi ceremony, is a gathering of young men and women who sing and
dance traditional melodies. This ritual is an offering of thanksgiving and happiness. The Angami
tribe's traditional identity is deeply rooted in song-singing and drum-thumping dancing.
Feasts and festivities are also part of the Sekrenyi Festival. To share with friends and family,
families cook unique foods like beef and rice beer. This gathering for food establishes ties between
people and creates a sense of community. The Angami people are celebrating their cultural history

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and unity on this day.The ceremonies carried out to guarantee wealth and well-being are another
significant part of Sekrenyi. Blessing houses, animals, and crops is one of these rites. The tribe's
emphasis on wealth reflects their agricultural heritage and their reliance on a conducive climate
for survival.
The Angami tribe's cultural traditions are crucially preserved via the Sekrenyi Festival. It's an
occasion for the neighbourhood to unite, honour, and transmit cultural customs to the next
generation. The celebration upholds the social ideals of the tribe, which include appreciation,
solidarity, and purity.

The Sumi Tribe: Tuluni Festival

The Tuluni Festival, a harvest celebration that heralds the end of the dry season and the start of the
monsoon, is observed by the Sumi tribe, who are renowned for their warrior customs.
Celebrated in July, the Tuluni Festival expresses gratitude for a bountiful crop. The celebration
represents wealth and success. The Sumi people thank the gods for a bountiful harvest and ask for
blessings for their future farming endeavours. The tribe's reliance on agriculture and appreciation
for the riches of nature are highlighted by the celebration of plenty. Grand feasts, when families
cook extravagant meals to share with friends and neighbours, are a characteristic of Tuluni. Rice,
beer, and pork are the festival's mainstays.

This custom of sharing meals promotes friendship and assistance between people. It upholds the
ideals of hospitality and charity while also bolstering the social cohesion of the Sumi tribe.
The event features a number of customary competitions, including folk song, archery, and
wrestling tournaments. In addition to being enjoyable, these tournaments help to maintain the
tribe's traditional customs. They provide the younger generation a forum to interact with their
history and cultivate a feeling of cultural pride. The Sumi people perform traditional dances and
music while wearing their vibrant clothing at Tuluni. The dances, which are frequently done in
groups, portray the history, traditions, and way of life of the tribe. The artistic expression and
inventiveness of the tribe are celebrated in these cultural acts. They also act as a channel for the
transmission and preservation of cultural information. Marriages are also seen to be auspicious
during Tuluni. Because they believe this celebration brings wealth and pleasure, many Sumi
couples prefer to get married during this time. Families get the chance to deepen social ties by
forming marital partnerships during the event. It emphasises how crucial community and family

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are to the Sumi tribe's social system. The Sumi tribe's principles of togetherness, generosity, and
thankfulness are embodied in the Tuluni Festival. The tribe uses this occasion to honour their
cultural history, fortify social bonds, and transmit customs to the next generation. The celebration
strengthens the tribe's identity and promotes cohesion and continuity.

CONCLUSION

Just like the Hornbill Festival strengthens Nagaland's identity by showcasing the indigenous
people's customs and culture. The Ao, Angami, and Sumi Naga tribes' traditional festivals are an
essential component of their social, cultural, and spiritual life rather than just being fun occasions.
These celebrations accomplish a number of goals: they commemorate significant agricultural
cycles, promote camaraderie among the community, protect cultural heritage, and uphold societal
ideals. The diverse rites and traditions of the Moatsu Festival of the Ao tribe, the Sekrenyi Festival
of the Angami tribe, and the Tuluni Festival of the Sumi tribe each represent the individual
identities of these three tribes. The tribes honour their spiritual beliefs, their ties to the land, and
their dedication to maintaining their communities and cultures via these festivals. Knowing these
festivals shows how important it is to celebrate and preserve traditional customs in the face of
globalisation and modernization, as well as offering insight into the rich cultural tapestry of the
Naga tribes.

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