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About
Nagaland
Nagaland State was inaugurated as the sixteenth State of
India on 1st Dec, 1963. It is bounded by Assam in the West,
Myanmar (Burma) on the East, Arunachal Pradesh and parts of
Assam on the North and Manipur in the South.The State consists
of eight Administrative Districts, inhabited by 16 major
tribes along with other sub-tribes. Each tribe has its own
customs, languages and dress.
It has a rich oral tradition
which has been handed down the generations. It is a land of
song and music where you can hear folk songs praising the
brave deeds of ancient warriors and folk heroes; love song
immortalizing tragic love stories, gospel songs and modern
tunes. Each of the sixteen odd tribes and sub-tribes that
dwell in this exotic hill state can easily be distinguished by
the colourful and intricately designed costumes, jewellery and
beads that they wear.
The present generation of Nagas have
ventured into fashion designing in a big way, reproducing
fabrics that represent the ancestral motifs blended with
modern appeal. Indeed, it is a beautiful mix of the past with
the present ... a paradise for those who are into fashion
designing. This is an affluent fashion centre of the North
East.
The traditional ceremonial attire of each tribe is an
interesting sight to see.The multi coloured spears and daos
decorated with dyed goat's hair, the headgear made of finely
woven bamboo interlaced with orchid stems, adorned with boar's
teeth and hornbill's feathers, ivory armlets. In the other
days, warrior had to prove their valour to wear each of these
items.
 Nature could not have been kinder to Nagaland, sometimes
referred to as the "Switzerland of the East"; the exquisitely
picturesque landscapes, the vibrantly colourful sunrise and
sunset, lush and verdant flora.... this is a land that
represents unimaginable beauty, moulded perfectly for a breath
taking experience.The inhabitants belolng to the
Indo-Mongoloid stock, whose ancestors lived off nature's
abundant gifts, blessed with friendly dispositions. Above all,
the people here are warm hearted and extremely hospitable! You
will feel it in the air!
Nagaland is blessed with salubrious climate throughout the
year and one can visit it anytime.If one is looking for a
quiet get away from the hectic city life, it provides the
right ambience; for life here is laid back and slow-providing
a tension free life.For the adventurous and intrepid, Nagaland
is an ideal place for trekking, jungle camping and offers
limitless exploration possibilities in its lush and verdant
sub-tropical rain forests which are also a treasure trove of a
plethora of medicinal plants.Nagas, by nature, are lovers of
fun and festivities and here life is one long festival. As
stated, Nagas with their joie de vivre, dance and song are a
part and parcel of all their festivities. Most of their dances
are performed with a robust rhythm.
Naga women are known for their spinning and weaving skills.
In the past, all Naga clothes were woven from locally produced
cotton or other materials of vegetable origin, such as,
nettle.But these days, mill-made yarn which is easily
available and costs less are widely used. Spinning, weaving
and dyeing are the exclusive preserve of women in Naga
society. Naga women weave clothes with intricate designs and
today, each tribe is bringing out new designs besides their
earlier existing designs. The common feature of the Naga shawl
is that three pieces are woven separately and stitched
together. Generally the middle strip is embossed with more
patterns and motifs. |
