The land of Hornbill and Hornbill Festival

Nagaland

Wide valleys, rippling streams, majestic mountains, deep gorges, and a rich variety of flora and fauna make Nagaland unique. Nagaland’s turbulent history, song and dance, native crafts, costumes, jewellery and myths and legends are an intrinsic part of its traditions. The colorful people are talented musicians, singers and dancers. Nagaland, which is pre-dominantly a tribal state, is inhabited by 16 main tribes of the Tibeto-Burman group. Though they were animist by tradition, the influence of English missionaries led most of them to embrace Christianity. The life style of the modern Naga is still influenced by ancient tenets and this makes Naga society a well knit and cohesive unit. A very interesting traditional institution is the Morung, a men’s exclusive dormitory that is the focal point of the village.

The Nagas have a wonderful tradition of weaving. Hand woven Naga shawls are widely appreciated. Each tribe has distinguishing patterns and motifs and certain ceremonies are indicated in the weaving of these beautiful shawls.