ANGAMI NAGA
Kohima district in Nagaland, India is the land of the Angami tribe. The name Kohima was called after the wild flowering plant Kewhi, found in the mountains.The town of Kohima is located on the top of a high ridge and the town serpentines along the top of the mountain range as is typical of most Naga settlements.
Angamis were traditionally warriors. The Angami men spent the majority of their time in warfare with the hostile village and taking heads. With the introduction of Christianity in the region, the inter-village feuds have come to an end. Although more than 98% of the Angamis are Christians, they are one of the last Naga tribes having an animist population. The Angami animists practise a religion known as Pfutsana. Currently, there are several hundred adherents in nine villages of the southern Kohima district.
* The four regions dividing the Angamis which is made up of the present Kohima district.
- Southern Angami (Japfüphiki-Viswema, Khuzama, Kidima, Kigwema, Jakhama, Phesama, Mima, Mitelephe, Pfuchama, Kezoma, Chazuba, Chakhaba, Kezo Town) in the south of Kohima on the foothills of Mt Japfü.
- Western Angami (Jotsoma, Khonoma, Mezoma, Sechuma, Secü-zubza, Kiruphema, Peducha, Mengoujuma, Thekrejü, Dzülake) in the west of Kohima.
- Northern Angami (Kewhima, Chedema, Meriema, Chiechama, Nerhema, Chiephobozou, Tuophema, Gariphema, Dihoma, Rusoma, etc.) in the north of Kohima.
- Chakhro Angami (mostly small villages around Dimapur district, with large villages being Medziphema, Chumukedima, Sovima, Razaphe, etc.; other villages include Piphema, Tsiepama, Kirha, Pherima, etc.)
* There are several dialects among the Angami Naga. The Ethnologue list of the Angami dialects given below.
- Dzuna
- Kehena
- Chakroma (western Angami)
- Mima
- Nali
- Mozome
- Tengima (Kohima)
* Sekrenyi Festival
Sekrenyi is a compound word formed by "Sekre" meaning "Sanctification" and "thenyi" meaning "festival".
Sekrenyi festival, know locally as Phousnyi, is a major annual festival of the Angami Naga. It is observed for ten days from the 25th day of the Angami calendar month of "Kezei" usually corresponding to 25 February in the Gregorian calendar. It is a "purification festival" held to wash off all past sins.The objective of the festival is to renew and "make holy" by cleansing the "body and the soul" of the village as a whole and to bring forth unity among all communities of Nagaland. It also marks the initiation of young people into adulthood and is considered an "identity marker of the Angami".
The rituals for each 10th day is done differently, on the first day, which is known as 'Kezie", people sprinkle themselves with a few drops of rice water drawn from a pot named "Zumho". The water drops are first gathered into leaves, and the chief lady of the house reverently fixes the leaves at the three main corner pillars of the house. This is followed by the men assembling at the well to bathe.
The fourth day of the festival marks the New Year of the Angamis. It begins with revelry by singing and feasting which lasts for three days. The young people, both men and unmarried girls with shaven heads gather and sing traditional songs the entire day; the songs relate to past days of valour and bravery. For the revelry of music and dance, the men and women of the community wear traditional dress; while men carry head hunting spades, women carry baskets.
The seventh day is devoted to hunting by the young men of the tribe. On the eighth day, the ritual involves pulling down of a gate (meaning replacing an old gate that demarcates the property). This is followed in the next two days by the people of villages formally exchanging visits and offering greetings. During the period of the ten-day festivities, field operations are suspended; in local terminology, this act is called Penyû. Following the completion of the festival period, when men of the villages have cleansed themselves and sought blessings, cultivation, house building and marriages may restart for the year.
* Trending Naga
Some of the places you can visit in Kohima to truly know the Angami Naga lifestyle.
1. Naga Heritage Village
Situated about 10 kilometres from Kohima, the Naga Heritage Village offers the panorama of Nagaland's tribal heritage and culture. The heritage village aims to protect and preserve all ethnic cultural heritages by offering a common platform.
2. Khonoma village
Khonoma village is located about 20 km from the state capital, Kohima. The village referred to as Khwunoria (named after the Angami term for a local plant, Glouthera fragrantisima), is estimated to be around 700 years old and is spread over an area of 123sq.km. The total population of the village is about 3000, settled in 600 households. Khonoma is famous for its forests and a unique form of agriculture, including some of the oldest terraced cultivation in the region. The terrain of the village is hilly, ranging from gentle slopes to steep and rugged hillsides. The hills are covered with lush forestland, rich in various species of flora and fauna. The state bird, Blyth’s tragopan, a pheasant now nationally endangered, is reportedly found here.
3. Kohima Museum
The State Museum located 1.5 kilometres away from Kohima. It allows visitors to peek into the vibrant culture of Nagaland and different stages through the history of the land. The museum showcases most fascinating artefacts and aspects of Nagaland tribal life. The State Museum displays ancestral weaponry, carved gatepost, status pillars that record Feast of Merit and traditional Naga costumes and jewellery.
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