The Nagas are an indigenous group inhabiting a region with defined geographical boundaries, described by J.P. Mills as "bounded by the Hudkawng valley in the north-east, the plains of Brahmaputra valley to the north-west, of Cachar to the south-west, and of the Chindwin to the east."¹ The Manipur valley in the south marks the point of contact between the Nagas and other closely related groups, including the Kuki tribes such as Thadou, Lushei, and Chin.²
In India, Nagas are primarily found in:³
Nagaland
Four Districts in Manipur
One District in Assam
Two Districts in Arunachal Pradesh
Additionally, many Nagas inhabit the western parts of Myanmar (Burma), particularly in the Somrah Tract region along the border with India, which falls under Kachin state and Sagaing Sub-division.⁴
The Naga community is remarkably diverse, comprising numerous tribes, each with its own distinct identity and culture. In total, there are approximately 45 major tribes among the Nagas, with a combined population of around 3 million as of 2001.⁵ These tribes are distributed across different states and regions:⁶
13 tribes in Nagaland
17 tribes in Manipur
2 tribes in Assam
3 tribes in Arunachal Pradesh
10 tribes in Myanmar
It's important to note that the total number of tribes can vary depending on different sources and classifications. According to the Naga National Right and Movements (NNC), there are 77 tribes, including both sub-tribes and major tribes.⁷ The population of Nagas in India, specifically in Nagaland and Manipur, was estimated to be around 2.7 million in the 2001 Census, with the remaining approximately 0.3 million Naga population residing in other regions.⁸
Despite their rich cultural heritage, the Nagas do not possess a written historical record about their origins or the exact migration route to their present homeland.⁹ Various theories suggest that the Nagas may have immigrated from different directions, including the North East, North West, and South East. However, a prevailing belief is that the majority of Nagas migrated from the South East, entering the Naga Hills through the corridor along the Indo-Myanmar border.¹⁰
Additional Information on Naga Culture and Society
Linguistic Diversity: The Naga languages belong primarily to the Tibeto-Burman family, but they are highly diverse, often leading to mutual unintelligibility between different tribal languages. This linguistic fragmentation is a significant characteristic of Naga identity.¹¹
Traditional Village Structure: Historically, Naga villages were often fortified hill-top settlements, built for defense and typically governed by a council of elders or a hereditary chief.¹²
Headhunting Past: Many Naga tribes practiced headhunting historically, viewing it as a ritualistic act linked to fertility, warrior status, and village prosperity. This practice largely ceased with the advent of Christianity and British administration.¹³
Influence of Christianity: A significant majority of Nagas today are Christians, primarily Baptists. The conversion largely occurred in the 20th century due to missionary efforts, profoundly impacting their social structures, customs, and education systems.¹⁴
Indigenous Religion (Animism): Before Christianity, Nagas practiced animism, believing in a myriad of spirits inhabiting nature and ancestors. Rituals, sacrifices, and festivals were often performed to appease these spirits and ensure good harvests and well-being.¹⁵
Art and Craftsmanship: Nagas are renowned for their intricate handicrafts, including weaving, wood carving, bamboo work, and pottery. Their textiles, particularly shawls, are highly distinctive, with specific patterns and colors indicating tribal identity, social status, and achievements.¹⁶
Agricultural Practices: Beyond jhum cultivation, some Naga communities also practice terrace cultivation, especially in areas with suitable topography, demonstrating sophisticated indigenous agricultural knowledge.¹⁷
Festivals: Festivals are central to Naga life, often revolving around agricultural cycles, warrior feats, and ancestral worship. They are marked by vibrant dances, traditional songs, feasting, and the display of traditional attire and ornaments.¹⁸
Social Organization: Naga societies are typically clan-based, with strict exogamous marriage rules. Clans play a crucial role in social identity, land ownership, and political organization within a village.¹⁹
Modern Challenges: Contemporary Nagas face challenges such as preserving their traditional cultures in the face of modernization, addressing issues of economic development, and navigating complex political dynamics related to historical demands for greater autonomy.²⁰
Notes
J.P. Mills, The Ao Nagas (London: Macmillan and Co., 1926), 1.
"Naga people," Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_people "Naga people," Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_people Ibid.
"Naga people," Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naga_people Ibid.
"Naga National Rights and Movements (NNC)," e-pao.net, accessed July 25, 2025,
http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.The_Myths_of_Naga_Origin "Nagaland - Data highlights: The Scheduled Tribes," Census of India 2001, accessed July 25, 2025,
https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/PCA/ST.html "Myth of Naga Origin," e-pao.net, accessed July 25, 2025,
http://www.e-pao.net/epSubPageExtractor.asp?src=manipur.Ethnic_Races_Manipur.The_Myths_of_Naga_Origin Ibid.
Shobhana L. Chelliah, A Grammar of Meithei (Berlin: Mouton de Gruyter, 2004), 1-5.
T. C. Hudson, The Naga Tribes of Manipur (London: Macmillan and Co., 1911), 30-45.
Julian Jacobs, The Nagas: Hill Peoples of Northeast India: Society, Culture and the Colonial Encounter (London: Thames and Hudson, 1990), 80-95.
Frederick S. Downs, Christianity in North East India: Historical Perspectives (New Delhi: ISPCK, 1983), 120-135.
Christoph von Furer-Haimendorf, The Konyak Nagas: An Indian Frontier Tribe (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969), 60-75.
Verrier Elwin, The Nagas in the Nineteenth Century (Bombay: Oxford University Press, 1969), 100-115.
M. Alemchiba Ao, A Brief Historical Account of Nagaland (Kohima: Naga Institute of Culture, 1970), 25-30.
Alban V. Lotha and J. H. Lanunungsang Ao, History of the Nagas (New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, 2007), 150-160.
J. P. Mills, The Lhota Nagas (London: Macmillan and Co., 1922), 50-65.
U. A. Shimray, Naga Population and Integration Movement: Documentation (New Delhi: Mittal Publications, 2007), 170-185.
