Naga people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Naga people of about two and half million are found in Nagaland, parts of Manipur, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh in North-East India, and parts of Myanmar (Burma). Of mixed Yunnanese and Burmese origin, they speak tribal dialects belonging to the Tibeto-Burman family.
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[edit] History
The Naga have traditionally practiced their Animistic religion with an agrarian economy. They are also known for their great friendliness, hospitality, bravery, truthfulness and sense of honour. The earliest references to the Naga people was in the Indian epic Mahabharata. Several characters from the epic, such as the Naga princess Ulupi, had important roles in the story. Fundamentalist Baptist missionaries from the USA first arrived in the 19th century and have since converted the vast majority of the Nagas to Christianity. Today they are engaged in a political negotiation with the Indian Government for a sovereignty they have been demanding for six decades. With India still reluctant to accede to the demands of the Nagas, many feel slow progress in the talks is the detriment for development.
[edit] Culture
Tattooing and dormitories plays a major role in their traditional culture, although this practice is now in sharp decline. Headhunting, which was once widely practiced, has been banned since 1991.
[edit] Religion
The Naga in Manipur and Nagaland are mainly Baptist Christians as a result of British missionaries and the later American intervention, which has led to a tear in their ethnic identity ever since they shed their traditional norms. As of today, almost all Naga in Nagaland are Christians, notably the pro-US Baptist. There are relatively few Christian Naga who combine tribal animist beliefs and rituals with Christianity, as Baptists condemn all non-Christian beliefs as cults and fundamentally contradictory to Christianity.
The majority of the Naga tribes in Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar remain loyal to their animistic faith, although militant and missionary intervention in recent years is converting them to Christianity.
Some of the Nocte are followers of an animistic form of Hinduism. Theravada Buddhism is also followed by a small number of people, notably the Tangsa.
[edit] List of Naga tribes
They are divided into 30 odd tribes, many of whom are found outside Nagaland.
- Angami
- Ao
- Chakesang
- Chang
- Katcha
- Khiamnungan
- Konyak
- Liangmei
- Lotha
- Phom
- Pochuri
- Mao
- Maram
- Nocte
- Poumei
- Rengma
- Rongmei
- Sangtam
- Sumi
- Tangsa
- Tangkhul
- Tutsa
- Wancho
- Yimchunger
- Zemei
- Zeliangrong
[edit] Gallery
 Naga man |
 Naga woman |
 Naga dancers |
 Naga people |
 Naga people |
 An Angami Naga |
 An Angami Naga warrior |
[edit] External links
- Current Nagas' Issues
- The Naga culture
- Website of an American Christian missionary on the Nagas
- Naga History
- Books about Naga
- Photos of the Naga in Myanmar
- History of the Naga people
- Interview with Ursula Graham Bower "Queen of the Naga"
- Kuknalim forum
- RSS Contribution In Solving Naga Problem
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| Anu • Anun • Asho • Atsi • Awa Khami • Bamar (Burman) • Beik • Bre (Ka-Yaw) • Bwe • Chin • Dai (Yindu) • Daingnet • Dalaung • Danaw (Danau) • Danu • Dawei • Dim • Duleng • Eik-swair • Eng • Ganan • Gheko • Guari • Gunte (Lyente) • Gwete • Haulngo • Hkahku • Hkun (Khün) • Hpon • Intha • Kachin (Jingpo) • Kadu (Kado) • Ka-Lin-Kaw (Lushay) • Kamein • Kaung Saing Chin • Kaungso • Kaw (Akha-E-Kaw) • Kayah (Karenni) • Kayin (Karen) • Kayinpyu (Geba Karen) • Ka-Yun (Kayan; Padaung) • Kebar • Khami • Khamti Shan • Khmu (Khamu) • Khawno • Kokang • Kwangli (Sim) • Kwelshin • Kwe Myi • Kwi • Lahu • Lai (Haka Chin) • Laizao • Lashi (La Chit) • Lawhtu • Laymyo • Lhinbu • Lisu • Lushei (Lushay) • Lyente • Magun • Maingtha • Malin • Manu Manaw • Man Zi • Maramagyi • Maru (Lawgore) • Matu • Maw Shan • Meithei (Kathe) • Mgan • Mi-er • Miram (Mara) • Moken (Salon; Salone) • Mon • Monnepwa • Monpwa • Mon Kayin (Sarpyu) • Mro • Naga • Ngorn • Oo-Pu • Paku • Palaung • Pale • Pa-Le-Chi • Panun • Pa-O • Pyin • Rakhine (Arakanese) • Rawang • Rongtu • Saing Zan • Saline • Sentang • Sgaw • Shan • Shan Gale • Shan Gyi • Shu (Pwo) • Son • Tai-Loi • Tai-Lem • Tai-Lon • Tai-Lay • Taishon • Ta-Lay-Pwa • Tanghkul • Tapong • Taron • Taungyo • Tay-Zan • Thado • Thet • Tiddim (Hai-Dim) • Torr (Tawr) • Wa (Va) • Wakim (Mro) • Yabein • Yao • Yaw • Yin Baw • Yin Kya • Yin Net • Yin Talai • Yun (Lao) • Za-How • Zahnyet (Zanniet) • Zayein • Zizan • Zo • Zo-Pe • Zotung |
