| A Yimchunger Naga woman at the morung of Kutur village |
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Other Naga tribes |
Yimchunger is one of the minor Naga tribes of Nagaland, India.[1]
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According to the Yimchunger tradition, the tribe emerged at a village called Moru, and then came to the Jure village.[2] The Yimchungers and the Khiamungans are believed to have migrated to the present-day Nagaland from Upper Burma as one group, in one wave. They separated into two groups at the Moru village.[1]
The musical instruments of the Yimchungers include simple log drums, trumpets and flutes, similar to that of the Angamis.[1]
The traditional dress of the Yimchungers includes colorful cane-made headgear decorated with hair and bird feathers.
Metemneo is the traditional 5-day harvest festival of the Yimchunger tribe. It is celebrated after the millet crop is harvested, usually in the second week of August.[3]
The ceremonies are inaugurated by the village elder khiungpu. The five-day festivals include:
| Day | Ceremony | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sito | Communal cleaning of the village, repair of village roads |
| 2 | Shito | Repair of the paths leading to the fields, clearing up of intrusive landslides |
| 3 | Zhimto | Repair of inter-village roads |
| 4 | Chiresco | Cleaning of water points and springs |
| 5 | Siresok | Cleaning and worship of agricultural tools |
The tribals also pray for the souls of the decesased, invite friends to home and exchange gifts. The festival is also marked by the engagements between the young tribals.[3]