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.

Contents

[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 Naga 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.

[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.

[edit] Gallery

Naga man

Naga woman

Naga dancers

Naga people

Naga people

An Angami Naga

An Angami Naga warrior

[edit] External links


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