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North Eastern State of India |
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Population: |
19.88 Lac |
Nagaland is a vibrant hill
state located in the extreme northeastern end of India, bounded by
Myanmar in the East, Assam in the West, Arunachal Pradesh and a part
of Assam in the North with Manipur in the south. It offers rich
incomparable traditional and cultural heritage. The State of Nagaland
was formally inaugurated on December 1st, 1963, as the 16th State of
the Indian Union. The State consists of eight Administrative
Districts, inhabited by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes.
The terrain is hilly, rugged and mountainous. The highest peak is Saramati in the Twensang district which is 3840 metres above
sea-level. The average height of the peaks is between 900 and 1200
metres. The main rivers that flow through the state are Dhansiri,
Doyang, Dikhu, Tizu and Melak. There is no waterfall in Nagaland. The
only lake well known is Lacham to the east of Mehiri. The hill sides
are covered with green forests. In the Angami region, the terraced
fields are a feast to the eyes. Nagaland has a single-chamber
Legislative Assembly with 60 seats. The state sends two members to the
Indian national parliament: one to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and
one to the Lok Sabha (lower house). If one is looking for a quiet
getaway, from the hustle and bustle of city life, it provides the
right ambience; as life here is laidback and slow - providing a
tension free life. For the adventurous and the intrepid, Nagaland is
an ideal place for trekking, rock climbing, 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.
Climate
Nagaland is blessed with salubrious climate throughout the year and
one can visit it anytime. Rains are heavy in Nagaland. The average
rainfall is between 175cm and 250 cm. Most of the heavy rainfall is
during the 4 months from June to September. The rains during April to
May is low. Strong winds blow from the north west in February and
March. The climate is pleasant.
People and Culture
The population of Nagaland is entirely tribal. Each tribe is distinct
in character from the other in terms of customs, language and dress.
Each of the 16 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 adorn. It
could broadly be said that they are straight forward people, honest,
hardworking, sturdy and with a high standard of integrity. They are
lacking in humility and are inclined to equate a kind and sympathetic
approach with weakness. Weaving is a traditional art handed down
through generations in Nagaland. Each of the major tribes has its own
unique designs and colours. Warm and colourful Naga shawls, hand-woven
shoulder bags, decorative spears, table mats, wood carvings and bamboo
works make magnificent souvenirs. Tribal dances of the Nagas give us
an insight into the inborn reticence of these people. War dances and
dances belonging to distinctive tribes, form the major art form in
Nagaland. In colourful costumes and jewellery, the dancers go through
amazing mock war motions, which could prove very dangerous, if one
were to be a little careless. Festivals, marriages, harvests, or just
the joy of the moment - are occasions for the Nagas to burst into
dance. Some of the important festivals are Sekrenyi, Moatsu, Tuluni
andTokhu Emong. Nagaland is a rural state. More than four-fifths of
the population lives in small, isolated villages. Built on the most
prominent points along the ridges of the hills, these villages were
once stockaded, with massive wooden gates approached by narrow, sunken
paths. The villages are usually divided into khels, or quarters, each
with its own headmen and administration. Dimapur, Kohima, Mokokchung,
and Tuensang are the only urban centres with more than 20,000 people.
Handicrafts
Nagaland's handloom and handicrafts own a reputation for their
quality. The beautifully hand woven tribal shawls of various tribes,
Naga mekhelas (Sarongs), Naga hand bags, which are exquisitely and
intricately designed, have won worldwide appreciation. The new
generation of Nagas have ventured into fashion designing on a
commercial scale, reproducing fabrics that represent the past, fused
with modern taste. They have handicrafts like beads, cearlands &
baskets, made of cane & bamboo.
Flora & Fauna
The variations in the altitude, latitude, climate and soil have given
rise to a diversity of forest types, ranging from tropical evergreen
to temperate evergreen and the coniferous.
Bamboo groves are extensive everywhere. Among the common species,
mention may be made of the Naga Bhe and plants such as Mesuaferrea,
Careyaarbotrea and Fiscus Electica. On the hill slopes are found oak,
chestnut, birch, magnolia, cherry, maple, laurel and fig. Pine trees
are found at high altitude areas, varying from 3,000 to 4,000 ft. Wild
vegetables, roots, fruits and tubers are found in abundance throughout
Nagaland.
Nagaland constitutes a meeting ground for the sub-Himalayan, Indian,
Chinese and Burmese type of fauna. Elephants, tigers, barking deer and
sambar are found in different places through the state. Monkeys,
jackals, wild buffaloes, wild pigs, bear and wild dogs are sparsely
distributed through the Naga Hills. Among the ritually most valued
species is Mithun. Other common species are lizards, toads, monitors.
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