Context:
The Rengma Naga tribe concluded a two-day celebration of the Ngada festival-cum-Mini Hornbill Festival at the Tseminyu RSA ground in Nagaland recently.
Relevance:
Facts for Prelims
Rengma Naga Tribe
The Rengma Nagas are an indigenous tribal community predominantly residing in the northeastern states of Nagaland and Assam, India. They are part of the broader Naga ethnic group known for their distinct cultural heritage and history.
Demographics
- Population: As of the 2011 Census, there are approximately 62,951 Rengma Nagas in Nagaland and about 22,000 in Assam.
- Language and Names: They refer to themselves as “Njong” or “Injang,” identifying with the Mongoloid racial stock.
- Historical Migration: Historians believe that the Rengmas, like other Naga tribes, originated from Southeast Asia, migrating through the Yunnan Mountain ranges to eventually settle in the upper regions of Burma before moving to their current locations.
Cultural and Social Structure
- Historical Practices: Traditionally, the Rengma Naga practiced slavery, although this was largely phased out by the time the British colonial administration established itself in the region.
- Economic Practices: Predominantly agriculturalists, their economy revolves around Jhum (slash and burn) cultivation and wet rice cultivation. They also grow seasonal crops and fruits which are integral to their diet and culture.
Religious Beliefs and Festivals
- Religious Transition: Originally, the Rengmas were animists, worshipping supernatural beings. Over the years, Christianity has become predominant among the tribe.
- Festivals: They celebrate various seasonal festivals, which are deeply intertwined with their agricultural practices. “Ngada” is their most significant festival, marking the end of the agricultural year and a time for community gathering and celebration.
-Source: The Hindu
