The Angami tribe in Nagaland forms the majority of the population and is probably one of the most common tribes of Nagaland. This beautiful tribe respects its traditions and cultures. The Angamis were warriors traditionally and are widely known for the terraced, white-rice agriculture that they deal in. It is only because of this reason that land is one of the most important forms of properties for the Angamis. The Angami is the second of the two groups of Nagaland out of the 17 that practice the cultivation of wet-rice on terraces intricately carved on the slopes of hills.
There have been several stories surrounding the origin of the Angami society in Nagaland. Legend has it that the Angami is one of the most powerful tribes of Nagaland inhabiting the state for several centuries. Till date, there is no solid proof available to identify the original evolution of the tribe but, as has already been said, several theories and beliefs are surrounding the origin of the Angami society. According to reports from J.H. Hutton, the administrator in the Naga Hills from 1917 to 1935, the Angami is the very first tribe of Nagaland that settled. For further clarifications on understanding a bit more about the origin of the Angami tribe, a study was carried out in coordination with the local individuals and heads of different villages.
The study found that this tribe has its very own poems, stories, proverbs, legends and folk tales. A legend has it that the ancestors of this tribe were brothers living in the village called Khezhakenoma along with their parents. They were three brothers who went into different directions with the Angamis coming to the area called Kohima. Another legend has it that the tribe emerged from the place called Maikel Stone.
The Angami tribe is one tribe on the whole with major sub-divisions in regards to land possession. The Angamis living in the foothills of the Japfu Mountain are called Southern Angami. Western Angami is the ones living the western side of Kohima while those in the north are called Northern Angami, and then there is Chakhro Angami. There are different districts covered by the Angami sub-divisions, and these are as follows:
The eastern Angamis have now separated from the tribe and are known as Chakhesang.
There are five types of inhabitants found within the Angami tribe. They are:
Approximately 80% of the Angami population consists of Baptists with churches being operated by the Angami Baptist Church Council. Nevertheless, the animist PFutsana religion is still followed by the tribe. If history is to be believed, the Angami religion comes from tsana or the way of the ancestors who believed in spirits. The Kepenuopfu was the chief who was considered the supreme being and the creator of all the living beings. Here the term “Kepenuopfu” means “birth-spirit.” The deities of the Angamis were called “terhoma” which means spirits.
Since the Angami tribe engages in the cultivation of wet rice on terraced hill slopes, it is evident that they are ecologically conscious. They like living in small huts made on the hilltops. Their way of living life on the hills is also associated with the importance of keeping a watch on the invading enemies. The villages of this tribe observe democracy, but they can vary in their size. There is the village headman taking care of all the activities and administration services within the village. But all important decisions are made only after consulting the elderlies and other important individuals living within the village. Rice is the main food of the Angami tribe. They also like drinking a special beer called Zu. This is rice beer made in every Angami home.
Headhunting was previously the livelihood of the Angamis, but it’s been many years since they dropped this practice in 1905. The Angami tribe residing on the hilltops generally depends on livestock-rearing and cultivation. Different forms of artwork and wooden handicrafts are what the Angamis are also good at. The wood-working skills of the Angamis show the excellently designed clan-gates and doors of all the houses in the villages. People belonging to this tribal population in Nagaland also pursue weaving, spinning, basketry and pottery. The Angami women are skilled at weaving. They are also skilled in presenting different folk dances and songs.
There are no social stratification rules followed by the Angami tribe. The property possessed by a family is divided equally among the sons and the daughters. One exclusive tradition of the Angami tribe is that the youngest family member inherits the parental residence.
Sekrenyi is the most popular tribe of the Angami tribe. It is celebrated for 10 days in February. The meaning of the term “Sekrenyi” is sanctification festival. It is celebrated on the 25th day of the Angami Calendar which is called Kezei. The festival is celebrated in a very religious and traditional manner. This ten-day festival of the Angamis is also known as Phousanyi. There are different names given to the different days of this ten-day celebration with the most interesting one being Thekra Hie. On the Thekra Hie day, the old and the young put on traditional attire and spend the entire day together, performing dances, singing songs, consuming rice beer, making merry and having feasts. There’s no work on all the ten days of songs and merry-making.
There are different languages spoken by the people of the Angami tribe. These include Tsoghami, Tendydie, Angami and Gnamei.