Angami Naga

Angami Naga
It is a migrated tribe of Naga Hills of state of Nagaland. Khonema is another name to
them. Their population is 3,56,129 and their sex ratio is 1 : 1.5.
After dwelling in the mountains they do not have typical Mongolian features. Their
cranial capacity makes them European.
They live on the peaks of the mountains make surfaced houses. They do not prefer Kisata
(house in the west).
Angami is a patriarchal society. Property is inherited from father to sons. The eldest son
gets the maximum fertile land, while after the death of the father, the total remaining
property goes to the youngest son. The youngest son also has the right to live in the
parental home, but parental ornaments and individual property (cow and other animals)
are distributed among the daughters of the family. They prefer to live in nuclear families.
Birth ceremony
Angami celebrate birth ceremony up to six days after the birth. They follow some kena
(prohibition). During the pregnancy and delivery, they can’t touch any sacred objects.
They do not celebrate any ritual on female birth. A pregnant woman can’t eat the flesh of
animals. On the sixth day after the birth, they give a dinner and use ju (rice made liquor)
in excess.
Marriage
They are gotra exogamous but one can marry in a subdivision of a gotra. Gotra are
variable and the Angami can change their gotra. So the marriage is not very complicated.
Consent marriage is in practice. Sexual duality is visible. Bride wealth is nominal.
Widow marriage is permitted. The bride goes to her husband’s home.
Death Ceremony
They bury the dead person. They make a megalith (a big stone) as a monument and fix a
wooden statue of the dead person on this megalith on the dead man’s burial place. They
have no separate graveyard for this purpose, and use the middle of the village for this
purpose. On the third day of the death, they give a dinner and offer ju (liquor) to the soul
of the dead person.
Religion
They are Tarhoma (spirit) worshippers. Kepenapuph (a spirit who responsible for the
creation of the world) protects Angami’s lives. Rajteh (god of death) – produces the
unusual causes of death. Bhaveno (god of prosperity) protects the property of the
Angami. Talepaphu (a malevolent spirit) attacks the mind. Both Tasukho (male) and
Dajurabido (female) both god and goddess protect their animals. Metsema – protects the
route of heaven. Tekhuro is the god of loin. Athepi is the goddess of welfare. Kechikero
protect the mountains.
Every village has one Kemobo (priest). He decides the date of the festivals and decides
keeps the records of the traditional rituals and customs. Kemobo is chosen from that
family which is supposed to be the founder of that village. Usually the eldest person of
that family is chosen Kemobo. Gena (worship) is done by flowers.
Festivals
They celebrate the following festivals Sekrejagi (in February or March), Karagi (in June),
Sugi-rechi ki purima (in September), Theju, Kepu rethe (in September). Leakvegi,
Thelukukali, Tetho, Ledali, Tekeilehe are other festivals which are celebrated around the
year. Sakre jagi is concerned to check different diseases. Kejukepi is concerned with the
protection of paddy crop from mouse and Thekragi is celebrated at the time of sowing of
paddy.
Economy
Angami are cultivators. They are engaged in step cultivation. They produce paddy, chilly,
potato, and maize. They are also engaged in poultry and honey production.
Education
19% Angani are literate and two missionary schools are in their locality and three
government schools are also running.
Political Organization
Every village has a panchayat Pehuma (chief), who hears every dispute. The post of the
Pehuma is hierarchical. In case of a rape dispute, the victim woman beats the accused,
and if any person ignores the kenas (taboos). He is penalized and he deposits a fine in the
village fund.
Angami’s life style is changing due to the influence of the modern world. Now they have
established many home industries as cotton weaving, bee husbandry, iron-work and
bamboo mat making. They are changing their life style and taking government loans for
betterment. Almost every village is governed by the Panchayati Raj system.