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Heritage Foundation
K.B.Road, Paltan Bazar, Guwahati-781008
e-mail : ourheritage123@gmail.com
website : www.heritagefoundation.org.in
A Monthly News Bulletin
Vol. XVII. No.8, AUGUST 2018
Independence Day Special Issue 2018
Traditional Livelihood Systems
In North East Bharat
`60/-
Geographically North-eastern India shares the
borders with four countries i.e. China, Myanmar,
Bangladesh and Bhutan. Nagas are one among
many of the ethnic groups present in this region.
They are historically and culturally different from
the rest of the country as they remained isolated
on the hill tops and villages in remote regions.
They often engaged in warfare, raids and head
hunting, so they seldom had any connection with
other societies. British tried to rheostat this region
and besieged the Nagas in AD 1882 in the battle
of Kohima. After this communication to this region
started growing with the main land, but the pace
of development was quite slow till recent years.
The Aos are one of the major Naga tribes,
inhabiting the north-eastern part of Nagaland,
mostly in the central Mokokchung District and also
a few are settled in the adjacent Jorhat district of
Assam. Mokokchung the home of the Ao Naga
tribe covers an area of 1,615 km2 and is bounded
by Jorhat district of Assam to its north, Wokha to
its west, Tuensang to its east, and Zunheboto to
its south. Though Aos belong to the mongoloid
stock but they present several characteristics that
is not common in other Naga tribes. Their
practices like disposing the dead by laying them
over elevated stone platforms during
prechristianity times; their elaborately organised
village councils and their claim to be emerged
from earth not from Kezakenoma stone; their
tattooed women folk; their division into language
TRADITIONAL LIVELIHOOD PRACTICES OF
THE AO NAGAS OF NAGALAND
Imsennaro Longchar1
R K Singh2
1 PA, KVK Phek, Phutsero, Phek, Nagaland and
2 Sr. Scientist and Head, KVK Phek, Phutsero,
Phek, Nagaland
groups and their complicated clans all distinguish
them sharply from their Sema and Lotha
neighbours that clearly indicate that Aos belong
to distinct mongoloid group.
The Ao Nagas have a rich tradition of clothing
that not only serves the decorative need but also
distinguish the warriors, influential people and
commoners. The Ao Naga shawl called
mangkotepsu or tsungkotepsu is exclusively worn
by men. During olden days only those men, who
had hunted human head or offered feasts of merit
were allowed to use mangkotepsu. The black and
red shawl with a white strip in the middle depicts
the valour and prosperity of the wearers. The tiger,
the cock, the human head in the shawl have a
distinct have a distinct story to tell. Anyone
wearing without the credentials was taken to task
by the village council and heavy penalties were
imposed for violating the code.
Mokokchung, the home of Aos is a
mountainous region manifesting numerous
smaller hill ranges with considerable rivers,
valleys, gorges and streams. Cultural, social and
economic settings of any population is greatly
influenced by the prevailing topography of the
region. Living is such a difficult terrain people
have to wrest for their livelihood. The family, clan,
khel and the village represents the extent of a
Nagas concern and there was a very little inter-
village and even less inter-tribe interaction during
the past. Nagas traditional life revolves around
the village and the village had been the highest
political unit and the sameness of culture and
shared among together. Within this concept, the
Heritage Explorer 101 Independence Day Special Issue, 2018
Aos have adopted their culture and their livelihood
to the norms of the natural environment.
Land is the most basic asset among the Ao-
Naga community. Slash and burn agriculture
method, popularly known as jhum or shifting
cultivation (tekong lu or alu ayimba) is an old age
farming practiced by the Ao-Naga since time
immemorial. Traditionally it is the chief form of
agricultural practices among the village which
involves the customary laws to regulate the
practice of its cultivation. Paddy (tsulu ayimba)
is main crop in the jhums followed by maize,
jobtears, millet and vegetables like; chilli, tomato,
green leaves, pumpkin, cucumber etc. Cucumber
from Aliba village of Mokokchung is considered
to be the best in taste cucumber and has great
demand not only in Nagaland but also in bordering
region of Assam. Panikheti or TRC is practiced in
very small areas and terraces are also small. Now
a days farmers are moving towards plantation
crops and tea, coffee, beetle nut plantation can
be seen coming up at different locations. Anushi,
a fermented colocasia leaves product is the
speciality of the Ao tribe and this is used for
cooking with smoke pork and several other local
dishes. Anushi is stored in the form of cake or
biscuit and kept for a year or so. Anushi of
Longgang village is famous and even in the market
it fetches better price from others.
Animal rearing (shiruru metsüba) is another
major livelihood option, practiced by Aos and
almost every house hold rears pig and poultry.
However, some families also rear cows, goats and
rabbits. Since beginning, the Naga society has
been self-reliant, so most of the youths were
required to learn all the skills desired to live in
the villages. Weaving, carpentry, handicraft,
pottery, woodcraft, blacksmithing and hunting
were the major livelihood opportunities that has
been traditionally learnt by youths from their
elders.
Weaving is done solely by women and they
use to weave traditional dress such as shawls,
mekhala, loin cloth etc. However certain other
traditional items such as head gears, ear ring and
weapons like dao, spears and shields are made
and sold by males to generate income. Wood work
is traditionally performed by the male and they
make very good furniture, handicraft items,
bamboo baskets and sale them to earn their
livelihood.
Mokokchung is rich in mineral and coal and
certain village people earn their livelihood by
mining of coal. This has been a lucrative business
activity in past though the government does not
undertake any mining activity, but the rural people
themselves get explored and exported to the
nearby states. The coal mining activities had
largely been carried out in Changki, Mongchen,
Molungkimong, Lakhuni, Anaki, Merangkong etc.
village areas, but in very unscientific, unplanned
and uneconomical way. Such activities has now
almost stopped as they were found to be
detrimental to environment and adversely
affecting the topographical features of the region.
Ac knowled gement: We acknowledg e the
support provided by Ms Arenla for preparing this
manuscript and sincerely thanks her for providing
photographs.
Heritage Explorer 102 Independence Day Special Issue, 2018
