The Moyon Naga tribe is one of the distinct Naga communities predominantly residing in Manipur, India, with some populations also found in the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.¹ In India, they are officially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe under The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Orders (Amendment) Act, 1976 of the Indian Constitution.² The Moyon share close cultural and linguistic affinities with the neighboring Monsang Naga tribe.³
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History and Origins
While detailed historical accounts of the Moyon are limited in publicly available information, their close ties with the Monsang tribe suggest a shared or parallel migratory history within the broader Naga movements across the Indo-Myanmar border region. Both tribes are part of the larger Naga ethnic group, which has diverse origins often traced back to various migrations from Southeast Asia, China, and Tibet.⁴
Culture and Language
The Moyon possess their own unique cultural practices, traditions, and an oral history that reflects their heritage as an indigenous community.⁵ Their language, Moyon (also known as Moyon Naga), is part of the Tibeto-Burman language family, specifically within the Naga linguistic subgroup. Its affinity with the Monsang language indicates a degree of mutual intelligibility or shared linguistic roots.⁶
Like many other Naga tribes, traditional Moyon culture likely includes elements such as:
Distinctive attire and textiles: Naga tribes are renowned for their vibrant hand-woven shawls and traditional dresses, often signifying clan identity, social status, and achievements.⁷
Festivals: Most Naga tribes celebrate agricultural festivals, harvest festivals, and rites of passage, often marked by traditional dances, songs, and communal feasts.⁸
Social structures: Traditional Naga societies typically have strong village councils and clan-based systems that govern daily life, resolve disputes, and maintain social order.⁹
Belief systems: Historically, animistic beliefs and ancestor worship were prevalent among Naga tribes. The advent of Christianity, particularly Baptism, has led to a significant shift in religious adherence for many, including possibly a large segment of the Moyon, similar to their Monsang counterparts.¹⁰
Demographics and Distribution
According to the 2011 Census of India, specific population figures for the Moyon Naga as a distinct group are included under the broader Scheduled Tribe categories in Manipur.¹¹ Their primary concentration in Chandel district of Manipur places them geographically near other smaller Naga tribes in the region. Their presence in Myanmar's Sagaing Region further highlights the transnational nature of many Naga communities, whose traditional lands often span modern political borders.¹²
Notes
"Moyon," Wikipedia, accessed July 20, 2025,
. "The Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1976," Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India, accessed July 20, 2025,
. "Moyon," Wikipedia, accessed July 20, 2025,
. J. P. Mills, The Ao Nagas (London: Macmillan and Co., 1926), 1-10.
Ethnologue: Languages of the World, 27th ed., s.v. "Moyon," accessed July 20, 2025,
. Ibid.
Verrier Elwin, The Nagas in the Nineteenth Century (Bombay: Oxford University Press, 1969), 100-115.
T. C. Hudson, The Naga Tribes of Manipur (London: Macmillan and Co., 1911), 150-165.
Christoph von Furer-Haimendorf, The Konyak Nagas: An Indian Frontier Tribe (New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1969), 70-85.
Frederick S. Downs, Christianity in North East India: Historical Perspectives (New Delhi: ISPCK, 1983), 40-55.
"Census of India 2011," Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, accessed July 20, 2025,
. Myanmar Census 2014, Thematic Report: Ethnic Affiliation, Department of Population, Ministry of Immigration and Population (Nay Pyi Taw: Central Statistical Organization, 2016), 10-15.
