culture

Timeline of ANGAMI TRIBE

A quick glance on Angami culture;

Origin of Angami:

Every society has its origin and significance. There are several theories which attempt to characterize the origin and society of Naga Tribes. One of the well accepted is that the Naga Tribes are one of the most powerful society who have inhabited the Naga Hills for several centuries. Though there is real no proof to identify the real origin of this society, there are beliefs and theories. J.H Hutton, who served as an administrator from 1917-1935 in Naga Hills, recorded that the Angami people are the first tribal society to have settled in Northeast India. To clarify the real origin of this society, a study case was conducted with the head and local people of the villages. While conducting the survey, it was found that the society has its own folk tales, legends, proverbs and poems. According to one legend, the ancestors of the tribes were brothers who lived together with their parents in Khezhakenoma village. When the three brothers spread out, the Angamis came to the present Kohima area. In another legend it is believed that Maikel Stone was the place where ancestors of the Angamis emerged from the earth. Many festivals are also observed by the community according to their culture and tradition. Tendydie, Gnamei, Angami and Tsoghami are mother tongue of Angami Tribes. Tendydie is the one most commonly used.

Division of Angami:

The domination by this tribe of their hills is further understood by their sub-divisions in land, such as Southern Angami (south part of Kohima located on the foothills of Mount Japfu); Western Angami (west side of Kohima); Northern Angami (northern part of Kohima) and Chakhro Angami.

Culture & Tradition:

Angami Tribes are divided into five major types namely Seventh Day Adventist, Baptist, Pentecostal, Christian Revival and Roman Catholic. Eighty percent of the population of Angamis follow the Baptist, with churches in the Angami region being owned and operated by Angami Baptist Church Council. It is to be noted that there are still some Angamis who follow an animist Pfutsana religion, thus denying to convert to Christianity.

Historically, Angami religion was that of tsana (meaning ‘way of ancestors’), which was characterized by belief in spirits. Above all creature, the chief, was Kepenuopfü, who was considered the creator and supreme being of all living creatures. The literal meaning of Kepenuopfü is simply ‘birth-spirit’. The Angamis also had deities as ‘terhoma‘ meaning spirits, but when the missionaries came and translated the word ‘terhoma’, they termed it as ‘satan’. This made the notion of all the terhoma be considered as evil in the minds of the people, even when the qualities of some of them were definitely benevolent.

Festival:

Sekrenyi is the most significant festival celebrated by Angami people. The festival is observed for 10 days in the month of February every year. Literally, Sekrenyi means ‘sanctification festival’. The festival falls on the 25th day of month Kezei (according to Angami Calendar) and is celebrated after the harvesting of fields. It is observed in a very traditional and religious manner. The most interesting day of the festival is the thekra hie, when young and old people wearing their traditional dresses sit together and spend the day singing songs, performing dances, have feasts, drinking beer and merry making. All the work ceases during the ten days of feasting and song. It is no wonder that Nagaland is called the ‘land of festivals’.

Timeline of ANGAMI TRIBE

A quick glance on Angami culture;

Origin of Angami:

Division of Angami:

Culture & Tradition:

Festival:

Pictures of Angami Culture & Festival