Trivia Facts about Nagaland

The state of Nagaland, located in the serene hills and mountains of northeast India, is one of the smallest Indian states. It is a constituent of a group of contiguous states collectively called the ‘Seven Sister States’. Kohima is the state capital of Nagaland. The state is also known as the ‘Land of Festivals’ since it is brimming with festivities for the whole year. With a population of 19.78 lakh people (as per Census 2011), it is primarily a tribal state. More than twenty major Naga tribes and subtribes exist, each with its very own dialect and customs.

Recent Headlines

Nagaland recently celebrated its 59th year of attaining statehood on December 1st, 2021.

• On December 1, 1963, Nagaland was formally recognised as a separate state, with Kohima designated as the capital of Nagaland.
• The Parliament of India passed the State of Nagaland Act (1962) to grant full statehood to Nagaland.

ILP For Entry Into Nagaland

ILP, or the Inner Line Permit, is a state-authorised document without which tourists from other states are not allowed to enter the state of Nagaland.

• An Inner Line Permit, a travel document that the state government of respective states issues, allows an Indian citizen to enter a protected/restricted area for a limited time.
• Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland, was previously the only place not covered by the ILP system because it is a commercial hub with a mixed population (often referred to as ‘Mini India’).
• According to an official notification, the Nagaland government has extended the ILP regime to the Dimapur district since 2019.
• Few other states in the northeast are protected under the Inner Line Permit, namely Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram.

Various Tribes In The Land of Nagas

Nagaland is home to 16 major tribes and several sub-tribes. The major tribes are Ao, Angami, Chang, Konyak, Lotha, Sumi, Chakhesang, Khiamniungam, Kachari, Phom, Rengma, and Sangtam, Yimchungru, Kuki, Seliang, and Pochury.

• Traditional costumes and ornaments, which are colourful and intricately designed, can help distinguish each tribe and subtribe.
• The Nagas live their lives around their land, family, clan, khel (clan cluster), and native village.
• The Nagas build their villages on top of hills out of wood, bamboo, and straw for defensive purposes.
• Nagas are skilled at ironwork, basketry, and other bamboo products, and they have been making pottery without using a potter’s wheel for centuries.
• Khonoma, a village of Nagaland’s Angami tribes, is known for its Himalayan Alder trees (Alnus Nepalensis) which is also the state tree of Nagaland.

The Famous Shawls Of Nagaland

• Various Naga tribes wear clothing, and textile patterns differ according to their customs and tribal affinities.
• Naga women weave intricate and artistic textiles on simple loin looms.
• Weaving has traditionally been the primary occupation of women in all Naga tribes. 
• Shawls and mekhala (wrap-around) are designed differently for men and women.
• Aside from these status shawls, each tribe has its own set of common shawls for men and women and married and unmarried people.

Activities That Drive The Economy In Nagaland

Nagaland is an agricultural state, with agriculture and allied industries employing more than half of the population.

• The Nagas’ leading staple food is rice. It is grown via the two major farming practices, Jhum cultivation and terrace/wet rice cultivation (at the base of alder trees).
• Maise, pulses, oilseeds, sugarcane, potatoes, and ginger are the other crops grown as intercrops with alder trees.

Horticulture is another important industry in the state.

• Orange, other citrus fruits and vegetables, passion fruit, pineapple, banana, Naga chilli, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, black pepper, betel vine, cashew nut, guava, plum, apple, flowers, and so on are grown here.

Eminent Figures In The History Of Nagaland 

1. P. Shilu Ao (1916-88)

• Before entering politics, the first Chief Minister of Nagaland and a prominent figure in the state’s political history, he worked as a teacher, school inspector, and headmaster before joining the Assam service.
• In 1960, he resigned and joined the Naga People’s Convention (NPC).
• He was one of the architects and signatories to the 16-point Agreement that resulted in Nagaland’s independence in December 1963.

2. Rano M. Shaiza (1928-2015) 

• Nagaland’s first and only Lok Sabha member, Rano M Shaiza was elected to the lower house of the Parliament in 1977.
• Shaiza worked as a teacher before joining the Naga separatist movement.
• Shaiza was instrumental in moving the Naga peace accord forward.

3. Neichiilieii Nikki Haralu (1918-2016)

• The first Naga woman to serve in the Indian Foreign Service, she retired in 1980 after serving in various capacities in the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

4. Talimeran Ao (1918-98) 

• He was the captain of the India National Football Team and the Indian flagbearer at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.
• He began his career as an assistant civil surgeon at Kohima Civil Hospital and retired as Director of Nagaland Health Service in 1978.

The Famous Hornbill Festival 

The annual ‘Hornbill’ festival, which aims to showcase Naga culture, both traditional and contemporary, lasts ten days, beginning on December 1st (Statehood Day).

• The festival honours the great hornbill, which the Nagas revere for its alertness and grandeur.
• The hornbill’s feathers are used in the headgear.
• The permanent location for this ‘festival of festivals’ has been Kisama, near Kohima, named the ‘Naga Heritage Village’.

State That Grows The World’s Hottest Chilli

The Guinness Book of World Records named Nagaland’s Bhut Jolokia the hottest chilli pepper globally. 

• Bhut Jolokia means ‘Bhutanese pepper’ in Assamese, but some are also known as ‘ghost pepper’.
• Bhut Jolokia is primarily grown in India’s Northeastern states and can be found in almost every home in Nagaland.
• This hot and spicy pepper is also 400 times spicier than Mexico’s famous Tabasco sauce.

Conclusion

Nagaland is known for its rich cultural heritage and biodiversity. It is a land of festivals and dances. The state is home to several tribes and is known as a ‘land of festivals’. The Hornbill Festival, which the government organised to promote cultural tourism, has gained popularity over the years. The capital of Nagaland and the surrounding cities majorly thrive on agricultural practices, with rice being the staple food of the locals. Rano M. Shaiza, the state’s first and only Lok Sabha member, set an example for all women to thrive despite all odds.