The Word and Meaning of 'NAGA'

Nagaland State lies between 26’ 60' and 27’ 40' latitude North of Equator and between the Longitudinal lines 93’ 20'E and 95’ 15'E having an area of 18,400 square Kms. The State is situated in the North Eastern part of India. The State shares its boundary with Assam in north and west; Arunachal and Myanmar in East, and Manipur in South.

The Nagas belongs to Mongolian tribe and more than 50 Naga tribes are living in Nagaland, Manipur, Assam, Arunachal and Myanmar.

THE WORD 'NAGA'

The Nagas did not call themselves as 'Nagas'. It was outsiders who give them the name 'NAGA'.
The name NAGA is believed to have been derived from following words.

i) NANGRA - a Kachari word which means, 'A YOUNG WARRIOR.
ii) NAGNA - a Sanskrit word, 'NAKED.
iii) NANGA - a Hindustani word, 'NAKED.
iv) NOGA - Assamese word, NAKED or NEWMAN.
v) NAGA - SNAKE OR KING SNAKES. Nagas are fond of eating Snakes
vi) NAG - Sanskrit word HILL & NAGA meaning, HILLMAN.
vii) NAKA - Burmese word, EARRING and people wears earring or Pierce
their EARLOBES are known as NAKAS. It later changed into English
phonetic, 'NAGA'.

The use of NAGA dated back to 150 AD, when Greek Scholar, Claudius Ptolemy referred in his writting, NAGA-LOGOI. The word mentioning NAGA can also be found in the history of the Kings of Assam written by the Assamese Borunjis, beginning from 13th century. It was long before the
Bangalees or Hindustani people came in contact with the Nagas.
Therefore, it is likely that the word NAGA had been given by the Assamese who are close to Nagas than any other people.

Many eminent Historians from Europe, China and Assam wrote about the Nagas where they referred the Nagas as people living in between Brahmaputra River and Chinwing River.

SOME IMPORTANT BOOKS ON NAGAS

i) A Corner in India - M.M CLARK, 19O7
ii) The Rengma Nagas - J.P MILLS, 1937
iii) The Ao Nagas - J.P MILLS 1926
iv) The Sema Nagas - J.H HUTTON, 1922
v) The Angami Nagas - J.H HUTTON 1921
vi) The Nagas - FRANCIS JENKINS, 1836
Vii) The Nagas: India’s problems or the World – Rev. Michael Scott
viii) Conflict in Nagaland – V.K ANAND
ix) Naga Hills and Manipur – B.C ALLEN 1905
x) The World of Nagas – M. RAMUNNY 1988

Purest form of democracy practiced by Naga Society

Purest form of democracy practiced by Naga Society
(The unique Naga Customs and Traditions)

The administration and governance system of the Nagas were unique in nature since time immemorial. At no point of time were the Nagas conquered nor subjected to any authority. Therefore, the origin of the systems practiced by the Nagas were evolved with time or borrowed from somewhere was not known. Every village was ruled by the headman/King of the village. Animism was the religion practised by the Nagas. While the main occupation was Agricultrual.
The Headman/King can be best described as Priest because headman's powers & functions were restricted to Religious and ceremonial activities. ( like Queen/King of UK and the President of India) All the Villages were sovereign Republic and there was no common government or authority above Villages.
One of the most important and peculiar social system of the Nagas was they co-existed harmoniously where the bigger or superior villages discriminating or enslaving the smaller villages or vice-versa never existed.

The harshest punishment/highest degree of punishment involving the justice system of the Naga Customary law was banishment from village for ten years. This shows the Nagas were peace loving and Humane in nature.
The administration & governance of the village rest with the Representatives/leaders elected/selected from every Clan. The Clans will select one member amongst themselves and the elected members from every Clan will collectively make laws, decide disputes and look after the entire administration & governance of the village under the headman. Those elected leaders usually sits together every evening after returning from their cultivation fields. The headman/priest will not involve in decision making or meetings but the village leaders are duty bound to informed/briefed him on any activities. Any decision taken by the village leaders will be consensus or on the basis of the Majority opinion. The general meetings were also convened when
important decisions are to be taken. Thus, the Nagas practised purest form of democracy since time immemorial.

The headman/priest plays very important role in day to day live. Few example; it was taboo to plant or to reap the crops before the headman finished the rituals. It was taboo to eat or drink anything before the Priest during some festivals and important occasions.
Anybody who went for hunting or fishing will offered the best portion to Priest. It was taboo to clear jungles for cultivations before the Priest performed rituals.
The Nagas are rich in cultures and traditions. They have more than 10 festivals in a calender year. Performing various Religious rituals like giving thanks, ask for blessings etc. from their deity/god by the priest alone or by the entire villagers were very common feature of their daily life. Therefore, the Priest were considered as the father of the village. So also, there used to be Religious activities throughout the year without break, and the
rituals cannot be performed without the Priest.
The unwritten customary laws (now available in written) are still practised by the Nagas. The special provision in respect to Nagaland was incorporated under Article 371 (A) of the India Constitution,
which reads as follow; Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution,- (a) no Act of Parliament in respect of-
(i) religious or social practices of the Nagas,
(ii) Naga customary law and procedure,
(iii) administration of Civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
(iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources,
Shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.

The social systems like class, caste, zamindari, discrimination etc never existed in Naga society. Every individual owns properties and lands sufficient to feed their families. Nagas were living peacefully before the advent of Britishers. Today, the Naga society is plagued with all sorts of corruptions and anti-socials which were alien to them some 200 years back.