-: NAGALAND FESTIVAL :-

Sharing borderlines with Myanmar in the east, Assam in its western and northern periphery, the Tirap district of NEFA in Arunachal Pradesh in the northeast and Manipur in the south, Nagaland's blue-hued mountains and emerald expanses comprise an intriguing world of ancient rituals and a proud people.This verdant homeland of the Nagas was formally inaugurated as the state of Nagaland in 1963, the 16th state of the Indian Union.

Spread over an area of 16,527 sq km,its population resides mainly in the rural area.Kohima,its capital,Dimapur and Mokokchung are its most important towns.Nagas have evolved into a generic term for many tribal communities in the North East.Of the 32 such tribes, 16 major and numerous sub-tribes spread over Nagaland's seven districts; primary amongst them are the Angamis, the Sema, Konyak,Aos and Renmas,each with their own distinct culture and lifestyle.

FESTIVALS NAGALAND

Sekrenyi :-

The Angami tribals celebrate Sekrenyi in the month of February. It normally falls on the 25th day of the Angami month of kezei. The ten-day festival is also called Phousanyi by the Angamis.

Aoling Monyu :-

Stretched over six days, the Aoling Monyu Festival Provides an excellent insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Konyaks tribe .With the completion of the sowing season by March-end, the festival marks the end of winter of the old year and heralds the New Year beginning with spring.

Moatsu :-

The Aos observe Moatsu after the sowing is done. Stretching over a Period of six days, the festival is marked by vigorous merry-making after the hard labour of Jhum farming.

Tuluni :-

Held in the month of july , the Tuluni is the most important festival of the Semas. Nobody is allowed inside the village on the first day of this five-day festival. The fourth day is the day of prayers and offering to Litsaba-the deity of fruitfulness who gives life and protection to the crops.

Naknyulum :-

The strong ,hardy and handsome chang Nagas celebrate Naknyulum during the first week of july for a period of six days. No marriage ceremonies are performed during the festival.The chang decorate their houses with a special kind of tree, the Ngunam.

Hornbill Festival :-

The Hornbill festival is celebrated every year at kohima from the first to fifty of december.

Metemneo :-

The yimchungers celebrate the Metemneo festival after the millet crop is harvested.But the festival is also connected with praying for the souls of the departed. Young girls and boys also get engaged during this festival which is spread over five days. With its strong agriculture bias, it's not surprising that agricultural implements are worshipped.

Amongmong :-

The Sangtams celebrate Amongmong in the first week of September when the new crop is ready for harvesting. The main feature of the festival is the worship of the God of the house and the three cooking stones in the fireplace.

Tsokum :-

The Tsokum , a festival of the khiamgans, is associated with harvesting which takes place in ocotober.

Tokhu Emong :-

Tokhu Emong is celebrated by the Lohtas once the harvesting is over and the granaries are full.

Ngada :-

Ngada is an annual celebration of the Rwengma Nagas observed towards the end of November/December. It is a popular belief of the ancient Rwengmas that the spirits of the dead visit their graves and the homes of their relatives once every year, particularly during this festival.

Monyu :-

Monyu is celebrated by the phoms after the sowing of paddy every year, from the first to third of April

Best time to visit :-

November to march is the best time to visit Nagaland.