The Khiamniungan Naga is a major Naga ethnic group native to Noklak District of Nagaland in Northeast India. They trace the origin of their village at "Khiamniunga Nokthang". This community is categorized into two major clans namely Shiu and Lam. There are other multiple sub-clans, but they come under one or the other major clan. Their main territory is from the west Pathso village across the region to the east along the Indo-Myanmar border.[1]
Marriage
Inter marriage between the two clans i.e. Shiu and Lam was/is allowed. Exogamy was/is strictly followed and endogamy was/is strictly prohibited by customary law. [2]
Distribution
The topography of the region comprised vastly of mountains and hills with deep gorges and narrow valleys. The region is mostly found elevated above 1000m to 1500m sea level. Mount Khülio-King is the highest peak in the region that lies along the Myanmar border in a Patkai range. [3] The entire region of this tribe comprises of numerous ranges, namely: Pathso Range in the west, Thou Range in the extreme south, Peshu Range in the south east, Thang Range in the north, Nokou Range in the east, and Dan Range in the north east.
Culture
Cuisine
Traditional Khiamniungan cuisine is characteristically non-vegetarian food, preferably cooked by boiling. Pork meat is the most popular meat and mostly cooked with fermented bamboo shoots. But at times pork meat is cooked and mixed with beans, ginger and chilli which is widely considered as traditonal curry. Food flavors are enhanced through local herbal ingredients and spices. Khiamniungan cuisine tends to be spicy in nature. [4]
Handicrafts
Weaving, Cane and bamboo products, Wood carvings, Pottery, Metal works consisting of all agticultural implements are all conducted and produced in and outside the district. Weaving is traditionally done by women who design and weave intricate networks of patterns in their shawls, sling bags, headgears and wraparound garment (commonly called Mekhala). But the rest, like wood carvings and bamboo products are entirely made by menfolk. [5]
Traditional Ornaments worn by both men and women specially during festive occasions, including necklaces, earrings, armlets and bracelets and headgears etc. These are usually made out of beads, brass, bones and horns of animals, boar’s teeth, ivory, shells and precious stones and metals.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ THE LAND OF CULTURE TUENSANG "KHIAMNIUNGAN"
- ↑ THE LAND OF CULTURE TUENSANG "KHIAMNIUNGAN"
- ↑ : Oral History |SPONSORED UNDER TRIDEPARTMENT OF ART AND CULTUREGOVERNMENT OF NAGALAND
- ↑ NERAMAC,CUSINE OF NAGALAND
- ↑ [https://ipr.nagaland.gov.in/noklak-district-handloom-and-handicraft-council-office-inaugurated : NOKLAK DISTRICT HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT COUNCIL OFFICE INAUGURATED ]
- ↑ [https://ipr.nagaland.gov.in/noklak-district-handloom-and-handicraft-council-office-inaugurated : NOKLAK DISTRICT HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFT COUNCIL OFFICE INAUGURATED ]