Naga Tribes of Nagaland - Identify Naga tribes by their traditional dress / attire

 

Nagaland is a hilly state in the North East of India and is home to several tribes. There are 16 officially recognized Naga tribes in Nagaland. Each tribe have their own distinct festivals. Most of these festival are agriculture and harvest related as most Nagas depend on agriculture. 

 

The ‘Sixteen (16) Naga Tribes of Nagaland’ includes the following Naga tribes —

Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Yimchunger, and Zeme-Liangmai (Zeliang). 

 

As per the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms, there are 14 officially recognized Naga Tribes in Nagaland and five recognized Scheduled Tribes in Nagaland as given below. 

 

List of recognized Naga Tribes in Nagaland State

1. Angami
2. Ao
3. Chakhesang
4. Chang
5. Khiamniungan
6. Konyak
7. Lotha
8. Phom
9. Pochury
10. Rengma
11. Sangtam
12. Sumi
13. Yimchunger
14. Zeliang

Other recognized Scheduled Tribes in Nagaland

1. Kachari
2. Kuki
3. Garo
4. Mikhir
5. Nagas

(Source: DPAR Nagaland )

 

Traditional Dresses / Attire of Naga Tribes 

Naga Tribe: Angami 

District: Kohima 

Angami men and women in their traditional dress dancing to folk song.

 

An Angami man in traditional dress and a kid in waist cost made from Angami shawl.Notice the iconic headgear of the Angamis. 

 

Naga Tribe: Ao 

District: Mokokchung

  

An Ao woman in traditional dress. Notice the iconic necklace worn by Ao women.

Ao Naga ladies in traditional dress partake in Ao Naga Folk Song and Dance

 

Naga Tribe: Chakhesang 

District: Phek

 
Chakhesang Naga men draped in their colorful traditional shawls 

Courtesy: sensaos @ flickr

Chakhesang Naga men in traditional dress singing folk song 

 

Naga Tribe: Chang

District: Tuensang

 
Chang Naga Men and Women in traditional dress partake in a play at Kisama Naga Heritage Village, Kohima

  

Chang Naga women in traditional dress / attire

 
Chang Naga men in traditional attire 

 

Naga Tribe: Khiamniungan 

District:Noklak

 
Khiamniungan Naga Men and Women partake in traditional folk song at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama

 
Khiamniungan Naga Men partake in traditional folk song at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama 

 

Naga Tribe: Konyak 

District: Mon

 
Konyak Naga Men in traditional dress and their muskets

  

A Konyak Naga couple in traditional

  

 

Naga Tribe: Lotha 

District: Wokha

  

 Lotha Naga lady in traditional dress

  

 Lotha Naga men in traditional shawls

 
Lotha Naga men and women in traditional dress perform headhunting play 

 

Naga Tribe: Phom 

District: Longleng

  

 Phom Naga couple in traditional attire

Phom Naga men in traditional attire

 Phom Naga women in traditional attire

 

Naga Tribe: Pochury 

District: Phek

A Pochury Naga in traditional attire

 

Naga Tribe: Rengma 

District: Kohima 

Credit: Courtesy: Zhalietuo Sachu Photography

 

Naga Tribe: Sangtam 

District: Tuensang

A Sangtam Naga man in traditional attire

 Sangtam Naga women performing folk song

Sangtam Naga women draped in traditional shawls

 
Sangtam Naga men in traditional shawls and headgear 

 

Naga Tribe: Sumi 

District: Zunheboto

and some parts of Kiphire

Courtesy: Abeto Shohe Photography

 

Naga Tribe: Yimchunger

District: Tuensang

Yimchungru Naga men in traditional attire

 

Naga Tribe: Zeliang 

District: Peren

Coutesy: Sandeepa Chetan

 Zeliang Naga men and women in traditional attire

 

Naga Tribe: Kachari

District: Dimapur

Dimasa Kachari Women performing the 'Plate Dance'

 

Mech Kachari tribe women in traditional dress.

 Backward Naga Tribes of Nagaland:

Out of the recognized Naga tribes mentioned above, there are nine (9) Naga Tribes which are considered ‘backward tribes’ for the purpose of reservation namely – Chakhesang, Chang, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Phom, Pochury, Sangtam, Yimchunger and Zeliang.