Location, Demography and History

Nagaland astrides the Patkai and Naga hill ranges of the eastern hills. It has Arunachal and Assam to its north, Myanmar to its east, Manipur to its south and Assam to its west. It has about 20 resident tribes (14 major), conjointly called Nagas.

As per the 2001 census, the population is 1,988,636.

The approximate but pertinent tribal break-up is:

• Angami 9%,

• Ao 15%,

• Chakesang 8%,

• Chang 2%,

• Khiamniungan 2%,

• Konyak 15%,

• Lotha 7%,

• Phom 3%,

• Rengma 1.5%,

• Makware 0.5%,

• Sangtam 4%,

• Sema 13%,

• Tikhir 0.5%,

• Yimchunger 2%,

• Zeliang 2%,

• Garos 1%,

• Chir/BodoKachari/Kuki/Mikir/others 16%.

The origin of the term ‘Naga’ is obscure – it is used to identify tribes living in the Naga Hills. Nagaland has no recorded history other than some folklore documented by the British and Indian authorities who served or travelled in Nagaland such as Verrier Elwin, Lt Gen S K Pillai, PVSM (Retired), Bob Kathing, N F Suntook, a few references to them in the Ahom Chronicles, passing references in Hindu epics, and aspects of folklore related by people in Nagaland. Folklore and anthropological studies indicate the tribes migrated from the general area of Yunnan, before the birth of Christ. Each of these tribes settled into separate areas in the Naga Hills and has throughout been antagonistic to each other.