Gurupratap Rajan: creating basic stub v1

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creating basic stub v1

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{{Short description|Ethnic group of South Asia}}
{{about|the modern ethnic group|other uses|Naga (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox ethnic group
| image =
| caption =
| group = Nagas
| population = {{circa|2,900,000+}}
| region1 = India
| pop1 = 2.5 million+<ref>{{cite web |title=Census of India |url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html |website=Census India |publisher=MHA, Govt of India |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-date=27 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200427153523/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/population_enumeration.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| region2 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Nagaland]]
| pop2 = 1,600,000+
| region3 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Manipur]]
| pop3 = 650,000+
| region4 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Arunachal Pradesh]]
| pop4 = 150,000+
| region5 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Assam]]
| pop5 = 40,000+
| region6 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Meghalaya]]
| pop6 = 2,556
| region7 = {{nbsp|10}}[[Mizoram]]
| pop7 = 760
| region8 = [[Myanmar]]
| pop8 = 300,000<ref>{{cite web| url= https://www.gomyanmartours.com/naga-ethnic-group-myanmar/| title= Naga ethnic group Myanmar| date= 13 November 2014| access-date= 25 October 2019| archive-date= 11 October 2022| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221011144626/https://www.gomyanmartours.com/naga-ethnic-group-myanmar/| url-status= live}}</ref>
| region9 = {{nbsp|10}} [[Naga Self-Administered Zone|Naga SAZ]]
| pop9 = 120,000+<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www3.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2015/01/16/the-naga-tribes-myanmar/2vat0F9BMYfQs3VbHFPWHO/story.html?arc404=true | title=Nagas of Myanmar | work=BostonGlobe.com | access-date=25 October 2019 | archive-date=11 October 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011144628/https://www3.bostonglobe.com/news/bigpicture/2015/01/16/the-naga-tribes-myanmar/2vat0F9BMYfQs3VbHFPWHO/story.html?arc404=true | url-status=live }}</ref>
| region10 = {{nbsp|10}} [[Sagaing Division]]
| pop10 = N/A
| region11 = {{nbsp|10}} [[Kachin State]]
| pop11 = N/A
| languages = [[Naga languages|Naga]], [[Northern Naga languages|Northern Naga]], [[Nagamese Creole]], [[English language|English]], [[Burmese language|Burmese]]
| religions = '''Majority''' – [[File:Christian cross.svg|15px]] [[Christianity]] (Predominantly [[Baptist]]),<ref>{{cite news |last=Dey |first=Kalol |date=January 7, 2018 |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/in-christian-nagaland-indigenous-religion-of-pre-christian-nagas-withstand-test-of-time-5010777/ |title=In Christian Nagaland, indigenous religion of pre-Christian Nagas withstands test of time |access-date=February 7, 2025}}</ref>
'''Minority''' – [[Buddhism]], [[Animism]] (including [[Heraka]], Krüna/Pfütsana, [[Rangfrah]] and [[Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak]]){{cn|date=July 2025}}
| related = {{ubl|Other [[Kachin state|Kachin]] and [[Shan state|Shan]] ethnicities}}

{{hlist|item_style=font-size:90%;
|[[Jingpo people|Jingpo]]{{·}}[[Naxi people|Naxi]]{{·}}[[Yi people|Yi]]{{·}}[[Shan people|Shan]]{{·}}[[Wa people|Wa]]{{·}}[[Lisu people|Lisu]]{{·}}[[Chin people|Chin]]
}}
}}
{{Naga people}}
'''Nagas''' are various [[Tibeto-Burman languages|Tibeto-Burman]] [[ethnic group]]s native to [[northeastern India]] and northwestern [[Myanmar]]. The groups have similar cultures and traditions, and form the majority of population in the [[Indian state]] of [[Nagaland]] and [[Naga Self-Administered Zone]] of [[Myanmar]] (Burma); with significant populations in [[Manipur]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]] and [[Assam]] in [[India]], and [[Sagaing Region]] and [[Kachin State]] in Myanmar.

The Nagas are divided into various [[List of Naga ethnic groups|Naga ethnic groups]] whose numbers and populations are unclear. They each speak distinct [[List of Naga languages|Naga languages]] often unintelligible to the others, but all are loosely connected to each other.

== Etymology ==
The present day Naga people have historically been referred to by many names, like "Noga" or "Naka" by the inhabitants of the [[Ahom kingdom]] in what is now considered as [[Assam]] which means "people with pierced ears",<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grierson |title=Linguistic Survey of India Vol iii part ii |page=194}}</ref> "Hao" by [[Meitei people]] of [[Imphal Valley]]<ref>{{cite book |last1=Hodson |first1=TC |title=The Naga tribes of Manipur |date=1911 |page=9}}</ref> and "Nakas" by [[Bamar people|Burmese]] of what is now considered as [[Myanmar]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Upper Chindwin District vol A |publisher=Burma Gazetteer |page=22}}</ref> However, over time "Naga" became the commonly accepted nomenclature, and was also used by the British. According to the Burma Gazetteer, the term 'Naga' is of doubtful origin and is used to describe hill tribes that occupy the country between the [[Chin people|Chin]]s in the south and [[Kachin people|Kachin]]s ([[Jingpo people|Singpho]]s) in the Northeast.<ref>Burma Gazetteer, Upper chindwin vol A. page 23. published 1913</ref>

== History ==
{{Main|History of the Nagas}}
[[File:A Side Show- Naga Tribesmen in their full War-paint.jpg|thumb|Naga tribemen wearing warpaint {{circa|1905}}]]
Aside from developing contacts with the [[Ahom kingdom]].{{Vague|reason=This seems like the beginning of some relevant info, but it is an incomplete sentence and does not therefore convey any intelligible meaning.|date=September 2025}} During the 19th century, the British attempted to subjugate the Naga tribes and abolish traditional Naga practices such as [[headhunting]] and intertribal violence.<ref name="britannica">{{cite web |title=Nagaland – Government and society |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Nagaland/Government-and-society#ref46186 |publisher=Encyclopaedia Britannica}}</ref> After India became independent from [[British Raj|British rule]] in 1947, the Naga became [[Indian nationality law|Indian citizens]], though an [[Ethnic conflict in Nagaland|ongoing ethnic conflict]] has existed in the region since 1958.<ref name="britannica"/>

===Mongkawng===
According to the Burmese chronicles ''[[Toungoo Yazawin|Tagung Yazawin]]'', the first [[Saopha|Chaopha]] of [[Mongkawng]] Samlongpha (1150–1201 CE) with the main town in [[Mogaung]] captured Naga country in the early 1200s. In the chronicle Naga country is named as "Khang Se".<ref>{{harvcol|Gogoi|1956|p=133}}</ref>
[[File:Map of Toungoo Kingdom 1572.jpg|thumb|190px|Mongkawng in North in 1572]]

===Kingdom of Ava===
In [[Yan Aung Myin Shwe Lett Hla Pagoda|Yan-aung-myin Pagoda]] inscription found in [[Pinya]] of [[Myanmar]] mentions that the [[Kingdom of Ava]] under [[Minkhaung I]] (1400–1421) in the early 1400s extended till the territories of the Nagas.<ref>"The recently discovered Yan-aung-myin pagoda inscription at ' 'Themaunggan, south of Pinya (Obverse, line 8, 762 s.), claims that in 1400 CE the rule of the king extended beyond the Kandu (Kadu) and the Ponlon amri yols ("Palaungs who grow tails"), to the "heretic kingdoms of the Naked Nagas on the borders of Khamti Khun lcyviw (?),"{{harvcol|Luce|Htway|1976|p=174}}</ref>
[[File:Burma in 1450.png|thumb|200px|Ava kingdom in 1450]]

== Culture ==
[[File:An Ao Naga lady in her traditional attire.jpg|thumb|Ao Naga girl in her traditional attire]]

=== Art ===
The Naga people love colour, as is evident in the shawls designed and woven by women, and in the headgear that both sexes design. Clothing patterns are traditional to each group, and the cloths are woven by the women. They use beads in variety, profusion and complexity in their jewellery, along with a wide range of materials including glass, shell, stone, teeth or tusk, claws, horns, metal, bone, wood, seeds, hair, and fibre.<ref>Ao, Ayinla Shilu. ''Naga Tribal Adornment: Signatures of Status and Self'' (The Bead Society of Greater Washington. September 2003) {{ISBN|0-9725066-2-4}}</ref>

[[File:Naga traditional shawl.jpg|thumb|Two Yimkhiung Naga women weaving traditional shawl]]

According to Dr. [[Verrier Elwin]], these groups made all the goods they used, as was once common in many traditional societies:
{{blockquote|they have made their own cloth, their own hats and rain-coats; they have prepared their own medicines, their own cooking-vessels, their own substitutes for crockery.<ref>[http://nagaland.nic.in/profile/arts/arts.htm "Arts and crafts of the Nagas"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619070932/http://nagaland.nic.in/profile/arts/arts.htm |date=19 June 2009 }}, Nagaland, Retrieved 23 June 2009</ref>}}

Craftwork includes the making of baskets, weaving of cloth, wood carving, pottery, metalwork, jewellery-making and bead-work.

Weaving of colourful woolen and cotton shawls is a central activity for women of all Nagas. One of the common features of Naga shawls is that three pieces are woven separately and stitched together. Weaving is an intricate and time-consuming work and each shawl takes at least a few days to complete. Designs for shawls and wraparound garments (commonly called ''[[Mekhela chador|mekhala]]'') are different for men and women.
[[File:Ancestral Naga Tribal Beads.jpg|thumb|right|Ancestral Naga Beads, Courtesy Wovensouls Collection]]
Among many groups the design of the shawl denotes the social status of the wearer. Some of the more known shawls include ''Tsüngkotepsü'' and ''Rongsü'' of the Aos; ''Sütam, Ethasü, Longpensü'' of the Lothas; ''Süpong'' of the Sangtams, ''Rongkhim'' and ''Tsüngrem Khim'' of the Yimkhiungs; and the Angami ''Lohe'' shawls with thick embroidered animal motifs.

Naga jewellery is an equally important part of identity, with the entire community wearing similar bead jewellery, specifically the necklace.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Koiso |first1=Manabu |last2=Endo |first2=Hitoshi |title=Necklace of ethnic groups of Naga, India: their meaning and function through time |url=https://nomadit.co.uk/conference/euraseaa15/paper/25856 |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=nomadit.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>

The Indian Chamber of Commerce has filed an application seeking registration of traditional Naga shawls made in Nagaland with the Geographical Registry of India for [[Geographical Indication]].<ref>"Naga shawls in for geographical registration", AndhraNews.net, 7 April 2008</ref>

=== Cuisine ===
[[File:Naga Smoked Pork with Axone (Fermented Soyabeans).jpg|thumb|Smoked pork with [[akhuni]], a fermented soybean product]]

{{Main|Naga cuisine}}

[[Naga cuisine]] is characterised by smoked and fermented foods.

=== Folk song and dance ===
Folk songs and dances are essential ingredients of the traditional Naga culture. The oral tradition is kept alive through the media of folk tales and songs. Naga folk songs are both romantic and historical, with songs narrating entire stories of famous ancestors and incidents. Seasonal songs describe activities done in a particular agricultural cycle. The early Western missionaries opposed the use of folk songs by Naga Christians as they were perceived to be associated with spirit worship, war, and immorality. As a result, translated versions of Western hymns were introduced, leading to the slow disappearance of indigenous music from the Naga hills.<ref>Shikhu, Inato Yekheto. ''A Re-discovery and Re-building of Naga Cultural Values: An Analytical Approach with Special Reference to Maori as a Colonized and Minority Group of People in New Zealand'' (Daya Books, 2007), p. 210</ref>

[[File:Chakhesang 1883b.jpg|upright|thumb|A Chakhesang Naga man]]

Folk dances of the Nagas are mostly performed in groups in synchronised fashion, by both men and women, depending on the type of dance. Dances are usually performed at festivals and religious occasions. War dances are performed mostly by men and are athletic and martial in style. All dances are accompanied by songs and war cries by the dancers. Indigenous musical instruments made and used by the people are [[Tati (instrument)|tati]], bamboo mouth organs, bamboo flutes, trumpets, drums made of cattle skin and log drums.<ref>Mongro, Kajen & Ao, A Lanunungsang. ''Naga Cultural Attires and Musical Instruments'' (Concept Publishing Company, 1999), {{ISBN|81-7022-793-3}}</ref>

===Religion===
{{Main|Christianity in Nagaland}}
Traditionally, the Nagas practised animism, venerating natural elements such as the sun, moon, trees, and stones. They believed in a Supreme Being and various lesser spirits associated with nature, conducting rituals and sacrifices to appease these entities. This deep connection to nature was central to their worldview and daily life.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Study of Traditional Religion of the Nagas with Special Reference to the Sümi Nagas |url=https://www.erpublications.com/uploaded_files/download/y-hukheli-zhimomi_OMXOr.pdf}}</ref>

In the mid-19th century, Christian missionaries, particularly from the American Baptist denomination, introduced Christianity to the Naga hills. The Nagas embraced the new faith, leading to a significant religious transformation. Today, Christianity is the predominant religion among the Naga people, with over 87% identifying as Christians, making Nagaland one of the three Christian-majority states in India.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2018 |title=In Christian Nagaland, indigenous religion of pre-Christian Nagas withstands test of time |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/north-east-india/nagaland/in-christian-nagaland-indigenous-religion-of-pre-christian-nagas-withstand-test-of-time-5010777/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=Joshua |title=Naga in India |url=https://joshuaproject.net/people_groups/17738/in |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=joshuaproject.net |language=en}}</ref>

While Christianity dominates, remnants of traditional beliefs persist, especially in cultural practices and festivals. Some Nagas integrate indigenous rituals with Christian practices, reflecting a syncretic approach to spirituality. Additionally, there are small minorities practising other religions (such as Buddhism),<ref>{{Cite web |last=admin |date=30 May 2014 |title=Forced Conversion to Buddhism in Eastern Nagaland |url=https://www.burmalink.org/forced-conversion-buddhism-eastern-nagaland/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=Burma Link |language=en-US}}</ref> but they constitute a very limited portion of the population. In Myanmar, the term "Naga" holds significance in Buddhist mythology, referring to serpent-like beings often depicted in religious art and architecture.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2022 |title=Origins Of Naga Worship In Buddhism |url=https://burmese-buddha.com/origins-of-naga-worship-in-buddhism/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=burmese-buddha.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Festivals ===
{{main|List of traditional Naga festivals}}
The various Naga groups have their own distinct festivals. To promote inter-group interaction, the Government of Nagaland has organised the annual [[Hornbill Festival]] since 2000. Another inter-ethnic festival is [[Lui Ngai Ni]]. The group-specific festivals include:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://nagaland.nic.in/potential/tourism.htm | title = Tourism: General Information | publisher = Government of Nagaland | access-date = 24 October 2011 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111030111232/http://nagaland.nic.in/potential/tourism.htm | archive-date = 30 October 2011 | df = dmy-all }}</ref>
[[File:Hornbill Festival.jpg|thumb|Hornbill Festival]]
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! Festival
! Ethnic group
! Time
! Major center
|-
| ''[[Aoleang]]''
| [[Konyak people|Konyak]]
| April (first week)
| [[Mon district|Mon]]
|-
| ''Chaga Ngee'', ''[[Gaan-Ngai]]'', ''Hega n'gi'', ''Mlei-Ngyi''
| [[Zeliangrong]] Communities – ([[Liangmai Naga people|Liangmai]], [[Rongmei Naga people|Rongmei]], and [[Zeme people|Zeme]])
| December (last week), 10 March for ''Melei-Ngyi'', 30 October for ''Chaga Ngee''
| [[Tamenglong district|Tamenglong]]–[[Cachar district|Cachar]], [[Peren district|Peren]]
|-
| ''Chavan Kumhrin''
| [[Anāl Naga people|Anāl]]
| October (23)
| [[Chandel district|Chandel]]
|-
| ''[[Chiithuni]]''
| [[Mao Naga people|Mao]]
| January (7)
| [[Senapati district|Senapati]]
|-
| ''Kaīvi''
| [[Lainong Naga|Lainong]]
| January/March
| [[Lahe Township|Lahe]]
|-
| ''Luira Phanit''
| [[Tangkhul Naga people|Tangkhul]]
| February/March
| [[Ukhrul district|Ukhrul]]
|-
| ''[[Metümnyo]]''
| [[Yimkhiung Naga|Yimkhiung]]
| August (second week)
| [[Shamator district|Shamator]]
|-
| ''[[Miu (Naga festival)|Miu]]''
| [[Khiamniungan people|Khiamniungan]]
| May (second week)
| [[Noklak district|Noklak]]
|-
| ''[[Moatsü]]''
| [[Ao Naga|Ao]]
| May (first week)
| [[Mokokchung district|Mokokchung]]
|-
| ''[[Mungmung]]''
| [[Sangtam Naga|Sangtam]]
| September (first week)
| [[Kiphire district|Kiphire]] and Tuensang
|-
| ''[[Monyü]]''
| [[Phom Naga|Phom]]
| April (first week)
| [[Longleng district|Longleng]]
|-
| ''[[Naknyulüm]]''
| [[Chang Naga|Chang]]
| July (second week)
| [[Tuensang district|Tuensang]]
|-
| ''[[Ngada festival|Ngada]]''
| [[Rengma]]
| November (last week)
| [[Tseminyü district|Tseminyü]]
|-
| ''[[Sekrenyi]]''
| [[Angami Naga|Angami]]
| February
| [[Kohima district|Kohima]], [[Chümoukedima district|Chümoukedima]]
|-
| ''Sükhrünyie'', ''Tsükhenyie''
| [[Chakhesang]]
| January & March/April
| [[Phek district|Phek]]
|-
| ''Thounii''
| [[Poumai Naga people|Poumai]]
| January (18th to 22nd)
| [[Senapati district|Senapati]]
|-
| ''[[Tokhü Emong]]''
| [[Lotha Naga|Lotha]]
| November (first week)
| [[Wokha district|Wokha]]
|-
| ''Tülüni'', ''[[Sümi Naga#Ahuna|Ahuna]]''
| [[Sümi Naga|Sümi]]
| July
| [[Zünheboto district|Zünheboto]]
|-
| ''Yemshi''
| [[Pochury]]
| September/October
| [[Phek]]
|-
|}

== Ethnic groups ==
{{main|List of Naga ethnic groups}}

The word Naga originated as an [[exonym]].<ref name="Christopher2012">{{cite book | author=Christopher Moseley | title=Encyclopedia of the World's Endangered Languages | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p-7ON7Rvx_AC&pg=PT572 | access-date=8 September 2013 | date=6 December 2012 | publisher=Routledge | isbn=978-1-135-79640-2 | pages=572–}}</ref> Today, it covers a number of ethnic groups that reside in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh states of India, and also in Myanmar.

Before the arrival of the British, the term "Naga" was used by [[Assamese people|Assamese]] to refer to certain isolated ethnic groups. The British adopted this term for a number of ethnic groups in the surrounding area, based on loose linguistic and cultural associations. The number of groups classified as "Naga" grew significantly in the 20th century: as of December 2015, 89 groups are classified as Naga by the various sources. This expansion in the "Naga" identity has been due to a number of factors including the quest for upward mobility in the society of Nagaland, and the desire to establish a common purpose of resistance against dominance by other groups. In this way, the "Naga" identity has not always been fixed.<ref name="Arkotong2010">{{cite book | author=Arkotong Longkumer | title=Reform, Identity and Narratives of Belonging: The Heraka Movement in Northeast India | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=E6HR3bjokSUC&pg=PA6 | access-date=8 September 2013 | date=4 May 2010 | publisher=Continuum | isbn=978-0-8264-3970-3 | pages=6–7 }}</ref>

=== Nagas in India ===
Nagas population are spread across all Northeast Indian States except Tripura and are listed as [[scheduled tribes]] in 6 Northeastern States: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland.<ref>[https://tribal.nic.in/ST/LatestListofScheduledtribes.pdf Scheduled tribes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220131142900/https://tribal.nic.in/ST/LatestListofScheduledtribes.pdf |date=31 January 2022 }} (PDF)</ref>

=== Nagas in Myanmar ===
Nagas in [[Myanmar]] are mostly found in [[Sagaing Region|Sagaing Division]] and [[Kachin State|Kachin state]]. The Naga territory in Myanmar is marked by [[Kabaw Valley|Kabaw valley]] in the south bordering to the [[Chin State|Chin state]], the [[Kachin people|Kachin]] on the north and the [[Bamar people|Burmese]] on the east.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://morungexpress.com/nagas-myanmar-people-forgotten-land|title=India News, Nagaland News, Breaking News ||access-date=26 October 2019|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026173705/http://morungexpress.com/nagas-myanmar-people-forgotten-land|url-status=live}}</ref>

'''The Major Naga ethnic groups in Myanmar are''':

# [[Konyak Naga |Konyak]] (Chen)
# [[Lainong Naga |Lainong]] (Htangan)
# [[Makury Naga |Makury]]
# Nokko ([[Khiamniungan people |Khiamniungan]])
# [[Para Naga |Para]]
# [[Tangkhul people |Somra Tangkhul]]
# [[Tangsa Naga |Tangshang]]

Some other minor Naga groups are [[Anāl Naga people|Anāl]], [[Lamkang people|Lamkang]], [[Moyon people|Moyon]], Koka (sometimes spelt as Goga or Koki), [[Longphuri Naga |Longphuri]], [[Makyam Language |Paung Nyuan]] (Makhyam), etc.

'''The townships which are inhabited by the Nagas are''':
# [[Homalin Township|Homalin]]
# [[Lahe Township|Lahe]] with Tanbakwe sub-township
# [[Lay Shi Township|Layshi]] with Mowailut sub-township and Somra sub-township
# [[Hkamti Township|Hkamti]]
# [[Nanyun Township|Nanyun]] with [[Pangsau Pass|Pangsau]] and Dunghi sub-township
# [[Tamu Township|Tamu]] of Sagaing Division and
# [[Tanai Township|Tanai]] of Kachin state

[[Anāl Naga people|Anāl]] and [[Moyon Naga people|Moyon]] are mainly found in [[Tamu Township|Tamu township]] on the south and a few [[Tangkhul Naga people|Somra Nagas]] are also found in and around Tamu bordering to [[Lay Shi Township|Layshi]] jurisdiction. [[Makury language|Makury]], [[Para Naga|Para]] and Somra tribes are mainly found in Layshi township. Makury Nagas and a few Somra Nagas are also found in [[Homalin Township|Homalin township]]. [[Lahe Township|Lahe]] is highly populated by [[Konyak Naga|Konyak]], [[Khiamniungan people|Nokko]], [[Leinong language|Lainong]] and [[Makury language|Makury]] tribes. [[Nanyun Township|Nanyun]] on the north is the home of [[Tangshang Naga|Tangshang]] tribe which comprises more than 54 sub-dialect groups. [[Homalin Township|Homlin]] township is highly populated by the considered lost tribes ([[Shanni Nationalities Army|Red Shans]]). But [[Kuki people|Kukis]], [[Bamar people|Burmese]], [[Chinese people in Myanmar|Chinese]] and [[Burmese Indians|Indians]] are also found there. [[Hkamti Township|Hkamti township]] is populated altogether by all the Naga tribes majority and with a number of Burmese, [[Shan people|Shans]], Chinese and Indians. [[Tanai Township|Tanai]] in Kachin state of Myanmar is inhabited by the [[Tangshang Naga|Tangshang]] Nagas among the [[Kachin people]].

== Languages ==
{{Main|List of Naga languages}}
The [[Naga languages]] are either classified under the [[Kuki-Chin-Naga languages|Chin-Naga languages]] or the [[Sal languages]].

[[File:Lenguas_tibeto-birmanas.png | thumb|right | Language groups in northeast India.
{{legend-col|
{{legend|#32CD32|[[Tibetan languages|Tibetan]]}}
|{{legend|#FFD700|[[Burmese language|Burmese]]}}
|{{legend|#FF0000|[[Karen languages|Karen]]}}
|{{legend|#FF4500|[[Rung languages|Rung]]}}
|{{legend|#8B4513|[[Tani language|Tani]]}}
|{{legend|#800000|[[Qiang language|Qiang]]}}
|{{legend|#0000FF|[[Bodo-Garo languages|Bodo-Garo]]}}
|{{legend|#1E90FF|[[Konyak languages|Konyak]]}}
|{{legend|#9400D3|'''[[Naga languages|Naga]]'''}}
|{{legend|#FF69B4|[[Manipuri language|Metei]]}}
|{{legend|#FF1493|[[Kuki-Chin languages|Kuki-Chin]]}}
}}]]

Nagas have more language diversity than any other ethnic group or states in India. Naga people speak over 89 languages and dialects, mostly unintelligible with each other. However, there are many similarities among the languages spoken by them. The diversity of languages and traditions of the Nagas results most likely from the multiple cultural absorptions that occurred during their successive migrations. According to legend, before settling in the region, these groups moved over vast zones, and in the process, some clans were absorbed into one or more other groups. Therefore, until recent times, absorptions were a source of many interclan conflicts.<ref>Drouyer, Azevedo, Isabel, Drouyer, René, THE NAGAS -MEMORIES OF HEADHUNTERS vol.1, White Lotus, 2016, p. 7</ref>

In 1967, the Nagaland Assembly proclaimed English as the official language of Nagaland and it is the medium for education in Nagaland. Other than English, [[Nagamese Creole|Nagamese]], a creole language form of the [[Assamese language]], is a widely spoken language. Every community has its own mother tongue but communicates with other communities in either Nagamese or [[English language|English]]. However, English is the predominant spoken and written language in Nagaland. Hindi is also taught along with English in most schools and most Nagas prefer to use Hindi to communicate with the migrant workers of the state, that primarily comes from Bihar, UP and Madhya Pradesh. Since 2022, Hindi in Northeastern India has been taught in school until class 10.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Scroll Staff |title=Hindi will be made compulsory in northeastern states till Class 10, says Amit Shah |url=https://scroll.in/latest/1021393/hindi-should-be-accepted-as-an-alternative-to-english-says-amit-shah |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=Scroll.in |date=8 April 2022 |language=en-US |archive-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220418060123/https://scroll.in/latest/1021393/hindi-should-be-accepted-as-an-alternative-to-english-says-amit-shah |url-status=live }}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of Naga people]]
*[[Naga Hoho]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation|last=Scott|first=James George|year =1967|title=Hsenwi State Chronicle}}
* {{citation|last1=Luce|first1=G.H|last2= Htway|first2=Tin|contribution=A 15th Century Inscription and Library at Pagán, Burma|year=1976|title= Malalasekera Commemoration Volume. Colombo: The Malalasekera Commemoration Volume Editorial Committee|pages =203–256|publisher=Dept of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Ceylon}}
* {{cite book|last=Gogoi|first=Padmeswar|title=The political expansion of the Mao Shans|year=1956}}
*Drouyer, A. Isabel, Drouyer René, " THE NAGAS: MEMORIES OF HEADHUNTERS- Indo-Burmese Borderlands vol.1"; White Lotus, 2016, {{ISBN|978-2-9545112-2-1}}.
* Wettstein, Marion. 2014. ''Naga Textiles: Design, Technique, Meaning and Effect of a Local Craft Tradition in Northeast India''. Arnoldsche, Stuttgart 2014, {{ISBN|978-3-89790-419-4}}.
* von Stockhausen, Alban. 2014. ''Imag(in)ing the Nagas: The Pictorial Ethnography of Hans-Eberhard Kauffmann and [[Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf]]''. Arnoldsche, Stuttgart 2014, {{ISBN|978-3-89790-412-5}}.
*Shongzan, Mayaso, "A Portrait of the Tangkhul Nagas"; Exodus, 2013, {{ISBN|978-81-929139-0-2}}.
*Stirn, Aglaja & Peter van Ham. ''The Hidden world of the Naga: Living Traditions in Northeast India''. London: Prestel.
*Oppitz, Michael, Thomas Kaiser, Alban von Stockhausen & Marion Wettstein. 2008. ''Naga Identities: Changing Local Cultures in the Northeast of India''. Gent: Snoeck Publishers.
*Kunz, Richard & Vibha Joshi. 2008. ''Naga – A Forgotten Mountain Region Rediscovered''. Basel: Merian.
*{{cite web |first=Waikhom Damodar |last=Singh |date=21 June 2002|url=http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/June2002/Indo-NagaCeasefire21_1.htm |title=The Indo – Naga Ceasefire Agreement |publisher=Manipur Online (originally published in The Sangai Express) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050526113938/http://www.manipuronline.com/Features/June2002/Indo-NagaCeasefire21_1.htm |archive-date=26 May 2005}}
* Shimray, Atai, A.S. – "Let freedom ring?: Story of Naga nationalism".
* {{Cite book |title=Naga Folk Tales |first=Kiran Shankar |last=Maitra |location=New Delhi, India |publisher=Mittal Publications |date=1990 |isbn=81-7099-200-0}}
{{refend}}

== Novels ==
* Ben Doherty, ''Nagaland'', Wild Dingo Press, Melbourne, 2018, {{ISBN|978-0-6480-6637-8}}.

== External links ==
{{commons category}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100617042629/http://nagaland.nic.in/ Official site of Nagaland state government]
* [http://www.ayeyarwady.com/Photo-e/naga/2001-1/index.htm Photos of Nagas in Burma by Goto Osami]
* [http://old.netphotograph.com/netphoto/print/nagaintro.zhtml?pgbid=1&gid=1 Photos of Nagas by Pablo Bartholomew] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160603115530/http://old.netphotograph.com/netphoto/print/nagaintro.zhtml?pgbid=1&gid=1 |date=3 June 2016 }}
* [http://wovensouls.org/2010/12/27/tribal-textiles-beads-of-nagaland/ Article "Textile & Bead Art of Nagaland"]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLs-UoqzLlU National Geographic Why These Headhunters Converted to Christianity]
* [http://naganationalcouncil.org/Nagaland.html Naga National Council's Official site]

{{Naga tribes}}
{{Scheduled tribes of India}}
{{Hill tribes of Northeast India}}
{{Ethnic groups in Myanmar}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Naga People}}
[[Category:Naga people| ]]
[[Category:Sino-Tibetan-speaking peoples]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Northeast India]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Manipur]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Myanmar]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of South Asia]]
[[Category:Indigenous peoples of Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Social groups of Assam]]
[[Category:Scheduled Tribes of Nagaland]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in South Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups in Southeast Asia]]
[[Category:Ethnic groups divided by international borders]]
[[Category:Tribes of India]]

Naga peoples - Revision history

Gurupratap Rajan: creating basic stub v1