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 eulogizing ancestors, the brave
deeds of warriors and traditional heroes; poetic love songs immortalizing
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 colorful and intricately designed costumes, jeweler
and beads that they adorn. The present generation of Nagas has 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.
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, molded 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, is 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 rhythm
People
and Festival
NAGALAND is a land
of festivals. All the tribes celebrate their distinct seasonal festivals with a
pageantry of color and a feast of music.
All the tribes have their own
festivals which they hold so dear. They regard their festivals sacrosanct and
participation in celebration is compulsory. They celebrate their distinct
seasonal festivals with a pageantry of color and a feast of music.
Although some religious and
spiritual sentiments are inter woven into secular rites and rituals, the pre-
dominant theme of the festivals is offering of prayers to a Supreme Being
having different names in different Naga dialects. At these festivals, the spirit
of Gods is propitiated with sacrifices by the Village Shaman for a bountiful
harvest either before the sowing or on the eve of harvest.
Courtesy:
http://nagaland.nic.in/
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