-: Nagaland :-

About Nagaland:-

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 as the state of Nagaland in 1963, the 16th state of the Indian Union.

Tiger,Leopard,Elephant,sambar,Wild Buffalo and bear people its deep jungles while its vast expanses of paddy fields,fed by an elaborate indigenous irrigation system, are a veritable feast for the eyes.Known for its salubrious climate, Nagaland has considerable rainfall during the monsoons that run from june to september.

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

Kohima Located at a height of 1495 m is kohima, the state capital. A pretty town it is endearingly unspoiled, tranquil and immersed in history.The world war II memorial listing the brave nagas who laid down their lives, is the biggest attraction here. The State Museum showcases in dioramas some of the most fascinating aspects of Naga tribal life in all its variety and wealth of tradition. Housed here is ancestral weaponry, carved gateposts, status pillars that record feasts of merit and traditional naga costumes and jewellery.

Culture:-

The entire Naga inhabited area may be described as one culture area, on account of several ethno-historical factors. There are 14 tribes in Nagaland. The traditional faith, religious beliefs and practices of Naga tribes show signs of being animistic. There is a belief of a supreme creator of mankind, and many deities, ghosts and spirits of trees, rivers and hills.

There are priests and medicine-men who placate these spirits, banish those who give diseases, attract those who help and guard, and also take the lead in the rites and festivals, which stimulate the processes of agriculture.Among the Naga tribes (Chang, Sangtam, Khiamngan), there is a belief that the soul, after death, goes down a narrow path to the land of the dead that is guarded by a spirit with whom it must struggle. Most Naga tribes regard the ultimate ancestors of man and the tiger, as very intimately associated. The ancient Kachari capital, Dimapur is one of the important sites of megalithic culture. The ruins appear to be contemporaries with the Kachari civilisation, established before the Ahom invasion in the 13th century A.D. There are evidences of Hindu influence on most of them, though these are predominantly non-Aryan. Today 85% of the people are Christians.

Adventure Sports

Trekking

Rising 3048 m high above the verdure of the valley floor, japfu peak, 15 km south of Kohima, makes for a great trek especially from November to March.

Behind it lies the Dzukou Valley (2462 m), watered by a meandering stream which often freezes in winter. In spring, it is rice with wildflowers and pink and white rhododendrons.

Wildlife

Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary

Located about 37 km from Dimapur and 111 km from Kohima, IntankinWildlife Sanctuary is the home to the Hoolock Baboon, the only gibbon found in India. The sanctuary also has a sizeable number of elephant, tiger, mithun, sambhar, wild dog and sloth bear.

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:-
The Monsoons are from May to September, hence the ideal time to visit is from November to March

Getting There

By Air

Nearest Airport :-

Dimapur (74 km from kohima)
Taxi
The Dimapur-Kohima taxi takes about 2 hours

By Road

Kohima can be reached by bus from Dimapur on NH 39. Buses leave from Dimapur (Trans Bus Stand) for kohima every hour from 5.30 am. One can also go to Kohima from Imphal (145 km)

Road Distances

Kohima to Guwahati : 390 km
Kohima to Kolkata : 1516 km