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 and part of Assam
on the North and Manipur in the South. 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, language and dress.
It is a land of folklore passed
down the generations through word of mouth. Here, music is an
integral part of life; folk songs eugolising ancestors, the
brave deeds of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love
songs immortalising ancient tragic love stories; Gospel songs
that touch your soul (should you have a religious bend of mind)
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 cosumes,
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 multicoloured spears and daos decorated with dyed goats
hair, the headgear made of finely woven bamboo interlaced with
orchid stems, adorned with boar's teeth and hornbill's feathers,
elephant tusk armlets….. You name it! In days of yore every
warrior had to earn each of these items through acts of valour,
to wear them.
Nature could not have been kinder
to Nagaland, sometimes referred to as the Switzerland of the
East; the exquisitely picturesque landscapes, the vibrantly
colourful sunrise and sunset, lush and verdant flora….. this is
a 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 warmhearted and extremely
hospitable ! You will feel it in the air !
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 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.
Nagas, by nature, are lovers of
fun and frolic and here life is one long festival.
The Nagas with their joie de
vivre, dance and songs are a part and parcel of all their
festivities. Most of their dances are performed with a robust
rythm
