General Information
The
State of Nagaland was formally inaugurated on
December 1st, 1963, as the 16th State of the Indian Union. It
is bounded by Assam in the West, Myanmar (Burma) on the East,
Arunachal Pradesh in the North and Manipur in the South.
GREEN TERRACED FIELDS IN NAGALAND
The State consists of seven administrative districts, inhabited
by 16 major tribes along with other sub-tribes. Each tribe is
distinct in character from the other in terms of customs, languages
and costumes.
Nagaland is a land of folklore passed down the
generations through word of mouth. Here, music is an integral
part of life; folk songs eulogising ancestors, the brave deeds
of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love songs immortalising
ancient tragic love stories; Gospel songs that touch your soul
or the modern tunes rendered exquisitely to set your feet a-tapping.
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. The present
generation of Nagas have ventured into fashion designing in a
big way, reproducing fabrics that represent the ancestral motifs
blended with modern appeal. Indeed, it is a beautiful mix of the
past with the present ... a paradise for those who are into fashion
designing. This is an affluent fashion station of the East.
The
traditional ceremonial attire of each tribe is in itself, an awe
inspiring sight to behold; the multi coloured "spears"
and "daos" decorated with dyed goat's hair, the headgear
made of finely woven bamboo interlaced with orchid stems, adorned
with boar's teeth and hornbill's feathers, elephant tusk armlets.
In days of yore, every warrior had to earn the right to wear each
of these items through acts of valour.
Nature
has been kind to Nagaland, sometimes referred
to as "Switzerland of the East"; the exquisitely picturesque
landscapes, the vibrantly colourful sunrise and sunset, lush and
verdant flora.... this is the land that represents unimaginable
beauty, moulded perfectly for a breath taking experience.
Its people belong to the Indo-Mongoloid stock, whose ancestors
lived off nature's abundant gifts, blessed with sturdy formidable
dispositions. Above all, the people here are warm hearted and
extremely hospitable! You will feel it in the air!
BLUE
VANDA- COMMON SIGHT THROUGHOUT NAGALAND IN AUTUMN
Nagaland is blessed with salubrious climate throughout
the year and one can visit it anytime. 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 laid back and slow.
For the adventurous, Nagaland is an ideal place
for trekking, 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.
The Nagas with their "joie the vivre", dance and song
are a part and parcel of all their festivities. Most of their
dances are performed with a robust rhythm.
Like
other inhabitants of the north-eastern region, the Nagas too have
their share of legends and folklore regarding their origin and
evolution through the ages. Nagas are basically tribal people
and every tribe had its own effective system of self-governance
from time immemorial.
In
the 12th and 13th centuries gradual contact with the Ahoms of
present day Assam was established, but this did not have any significant
impact on the traditional Naga way of life. However, in the 19th
century the British appeared on the scene and ultimately the area
was brought under British administration.
After
independence, this territory was made a Centrally-administered
area in 1957, administered by the Governor of Assam. It was known
as the Naga Hills Tuensang Area. This failed to satisfy popular
aspirations and unrest continued. Hence, in 1961, this area was
renamed as Nagaland and given the status of State of the Indian
Union which was formally inaugurated on 1st December, 1963.
