Nagaland

Nagaland, state (2001 provisional pop. 1,988,686), 6,365 sq mi (16,485 sq km), NE India. It is a wild, forested, and undeveloped region bounded by Myanmar on the east and the Indian states of Manipur on the south, Assam on the northwest, and Arunachal Pradesh on the north. The region is inhabited by Nagas, a Tibeto-Burman tribe, who formerly practiced head-hunting. More than 80% of the population is Christian. The state is governed by a chief minister and cabinet responsible to a bicameral legislature with one elected house and by a governor appointed by the president of India. Formerly the Naga Hills–Tuensang area in Assam state, Nagaland gained full state status in 1961. The mid-1990s saw increased attacks by Naga guerrillas who favored extending the state of Nagaland to include Manipur and portions of the two other bordering states, as well as a portion of Myanmar. Talks with the guerrillas began in 1997.

Nagaland is a state in the north-eastern part of India.

Geography

Nagaland borders the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur and the country Myanmar. The state capital is Kohima. Nagaland is divided into 8 administrative districts. About 84 percent of the population belongs to 16 Naga tribes, an Indo-Mongoloid ethnic group; minority tribes include the 40,000 Chin. In addition, there are some 220,000 Assamese and 14,000 Bengali Muslims. More than 85 percent of the population is Christian, mostly Baptist. This Christian heritage is shared with a majority in the nearby states of Mizoram and Meghalaya and by a large minority in neighbouring Manipur, but sets them apart from the rest of India which is overwhelmingly Hindu.

Traditions

The Nagas are proud and fierce people. In the old days, when the different Naga tribes were at war with one another, they used to indulge in their favorite "sport" - head-hunting. In short, the necks of victims are chopped off using däos (traditional hatchets) and the heads are brought back to the village as trophies. These heads are hung in front of the warrior's house revealing his status in society. During those days, it was quite difficult to find a bride for a young man who had not brought back an enemy's head as a trophy! Though this practice is abhorred now, you wouldn't want to make an enemy out here. Extend your hand of friendship and you've got a friend for life.

The advent of Christianity in the region in the late 19th-century changed the ways of the Nagas. Enemy villages were no longer "happy-hunting grounds". These war-like tribes slowly transformed into a peace-loving community. This was mainly due to the efforts started by Dr. E.W. Clark, an American missionary, who came to this wild region during the hey-days of head-hunting. The only thing that probably saved his life in the beginning might have been due to the fact that the Nagas are inherently hospitable people. For a Naga, it is a shame to turn away a guest who comes in peace. Rest assured, you wouldn't die of hunger or lack a place to sleep in Nagaland.

The cultural heritage of the Nagas are steeped in folklore passed down through the generations by word of mouth. The young Nagas huddle around open wood-fires in the chill and darkness of the night and listen to elders recalling legendary stories of folk heroes and tales of long ago. Haunting tunes and lyrics speak of ancestors, a history of the times gone by, old battles, brave heroes and of course, love stories.

Recent history

Nagaland became a state on December 1, 1963. Its status as part of India or as an independent entity beforehand has been disputed since 1956, and there are agitators for independence within the region.

Fifth Naga meet at Bangkok begins on positive note. NSCN (IM) leader Thvingaleng Muivah has appreciated the Centre's commitment for an honourable and peaceful negotiated settlement of the Naga conflict and called for a national understanding to enable the Nagas to move forward in the making of the Naga nation.

Capital: 	Kohima 	
Population 	120,000
Area: 		30,200 sq.miles; 
Population: 	4.2 million 
Ethnic groups: 
Naga (16 tribes): 95.6% 
Chin: 		   2.5% 

Religion: 
Christian: 	97% 	(80%+ Baptist)