So-called Nagas and Ancient Naga Tradition

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Dear All, Refer to the following about Nagas. Regards,Sreenadh==============================

The so-called Nagas and Ancient Naga Tradition

[Extract from the book `Surviving Harappan Civilization' by PC Kashyap]

The so-called Nagas of Nagaland are in no way connected with the ancient Nagas. Till recently they were quite ignorant of any distinctive tribal name ascribed to them. Even as late as 1954, Verrier Elwin found the people of Tuensang (a district of Nagaland) seldom speaking of themselves as Nagas but as Konyaks, Changs, Phoms and so on. The principle tribes living in Nagaland are Aos, Angamis, Konyaks, Semas, Lotnas, Chekhesangs, Changs, Kukis, Phoms, Khein, Mengas, Rengmas, Sangtams, Yumchungrs, Zilliangs, Mikhirs, Kechcharis, Maos, Tankhuls, Kabuis.

They never called themselves Nagas nor was the territory they occupied known as Nagaland. The appellation of Naga appears to have been accorded by plains people to tribes living in mountainous tracts dominated by forests. Captain John Butler says that the tribes now living in Nagaland had no genetic term applicable to the whole race.

These tribal folk preferred to use a specific name for a group of villages, for example, the inhabitants of Jotosoma, Kohima, Khnoma and Mezoma villages called themselves Tengimas. The word Naga in Assamese means Naked. Thus it is nearer to reality that the ill-clothed people now living in Nagaland were given the name Naga by the plainsmen of the Brahmaputra valley.

The British, because of their close contact with the people of the Assam valley, gave this collective name to all the communities living in the inaccessible forests in the northeast. For administrative purposes they named the area Naga Hills District.

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============================== , "Chakraborty, PL" <CHAKRABORTYP2 wrote:>> Dear Sreenadh-ji,> > I agree to most of your points and would like to stop here.> However, I don't agree to your last comment. I rather see> the myths quite relevant to Indian myths. (Only question> is how we define 'Indian')> > Regards> > chakraborty> > > > > Sreenadh [sreesog]> Friday, October 03, 2008 11:08 AM> > Re: Some thoughts on ancient Siva- Naga> -Arya -Dravida Civilizations> > > > > Dear Chakraborty ji,> //Please note that Naga of NAGALAND is quite distinct.> > They are again a Sino-Burmese group who entered Assam> in 12-13th Century. As they used to pierce their Ears, they> were known as Naka (pierced ears) in local language. That got converted> to Naga later on. I don't think it has got anything to do with> Naked per se.> > The Naga (of Nagaland) myth is quite different and has very less bearing> with our existing myths. If my memory is correct, the group> claims that there ancestors originated from caves.//> Thanks for the info and clarification. PC Kashyap in his book "Surviving> Harappan civilization" states that in Assamese language "Naga" means> "Naked". It was that statement, I was quoting. Naka = pierced ears, and the> wrong pronunciation of Naka as Naga later sounds better and possible. True,> most of the tribes in Nagaland have "Pierced ears" that too usually with> large ornaments. > Thanks for the info.> //> Whether it has got anything to do with a chinese myth> > that some group of people were interned in caves for> > generations as a punishment..is not clear.//> Yes, the north eastern people are more connected to Burmese or Chinese> culture than with Indian; There myths too differ and more tribal in nature.> > Love and regards,> Sreenadh> > , "Chakraborty, PL"> CHAKRABORTYP2@ wrote:> >> > Dear Sreenadh-ji, Neelam-ji and others,> >> > Please note that Naga of NAGALAND is quite distinct.> >> > They are again a Sino-Burmese group who entered Assam> > in 12-13th Century. As they used to pierece their Ears, they> > were known as Naka (pierced ears) in local language. That got converted> > to Naga later on. I don't think it has got anything to do with> > Naked per se.> >> > The Naga myth is quite different and has very less bearing> > with our existing myths. If my memory is correct, the group> > claims that there ancestors originated from caves.> >> > Whether it has got anything to do with a chinese myth> > that some group of people were interned in caves for> > generations as a punishment..is not clear.> >> > regards> >> > chakraborty.>