The Naga people come from Nagaland, a state in the extreme North East of India. It is believed that these hill-tribes of an Indo-Mongoloid stock have migrated from other countries of South-east Asia. There are 16 major tribes such as Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Khemungan, Konyak, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sema, Yimchunger and Zeliang.
Each tribe has their own language and cultural features. They communicate in Nagamese which is a mixture of Assamese, Bengali, and Hindi. Hindi also is used in Nagaland. English is the state language in Nagaland. They use the Roman script, which was introduced by American missionaries. The organization of each village community differs from tribe to tribe. Most of the tribes have a democratic structure called village councils but the Konyak tribe has a village chief called 'Ahngs'.
Weaving is a traditional art handed down through generations in Nagaland. Each of the major tribes has its own unique design and choice of colours. Warm and colourful Naga shawls, hand-woven shoulder bags, decorative spears, tablemats, wood carvings and bamboo works make magnificent souvenirs. Tattooing was common in Naga culture but now this practice is slowly decreasing. Agriculture is their main occupation and rice is their staple food. The Naga tribes are exogamous in matters concerning marriage. Marriage between the same clan is strictly prohibited.
The Naga villages are located atop hills and every village has a 'Morung' or a meeting house where weapons and prizes of war are stored. Tribal dances belonging to distinctive tribes form the major art form in Nagaland. Each tribe celebrates their own festival such as Sekrenyi, Moatsu, Tuluni, Aoling and Tokhu Emong.
The early Naga were worshippers of nature gods but the advent of Christianity in the late 19th century brought a total transformation among the people. The spread of Christianity, the growth of education and the development programs have rapidly changed the Naga culture. There are political problems between the state government and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) or the Naga under ground soldiers.
For the salvation of the Naga people.
For the peace of Nagaland, for reconciliation between the factions and ease in political tensions.
Scripture Prayers for the Naga in India.
Profile Source: India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar Copyrighted © Used with permission |
People Name General | Naga |
People Name in Country | Naga |
Alternate Names | Pochury; नगा, अनस्पेसिफाइड |
Population this Country | 22,000 |
Population all Countries | 22,000 |
Total Countries | 2 |
Indigenous | Yes |
Progress Scale | 3 ● |
Unreached | No |
Frontier People Group | No |
Pioneer Workers Needed | |
People ID | 17738 |
ROP3 Code | 113196 |
Country | India | |||||||||||||||
Region | Asia, South | |||||||||||||||
Continent | Asia | |||||||||||||||
10/40 Window | Yes | |||||||||||||||
National Bible Society | Website | |||||||||||||||
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) | |||||||||||||||
Total States on file | 15 | |||||||||||||||
Largest States |
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Districts | Interactive map, listing and data download | |||||||||||||||
Specialized Website | South Asia Peoples |
Country | India |
Region | Asia, South |
Continent | Asia |
10/40 Window | Yes |
National Bible Society | Website |
Persecution Rank | 11 (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking) |
Total States | 15 |
Arunachal Pradesh 6,800 | |
Nagaland 5,000 | |
Assam 3,900 | |
West Bengal 3,200 | |
Meghalaya 1,400 | |
Mizoram 900 | |
Maharashtra 400 | |
Tripura 200 | |
Delhi 90 | |
Madhya Pradesh 70 | |
Karnataka 70 | |
Rajasthan 50 | |
Kerala 30 | |
Chhattisgarh 30 | |
Tamil Nadu 30 | |
Website | South Asia Peoples |
Primary Religion: | Christianity |
Major Religion ▲ | Percent * |
---|---|
Buddhism |
0.66 %
|
Christianity (Evangelical Unknown) |
77.37 %
|
Ethnic Religions |
0.00 %
|
Hinduism |
5.07 %
|
Islam |
1.04 %
|
Non-Religious |
0.00 %
|
Other / Small |
0.08 %
|
Unknown |
15.77 %
|
* From latest India census data. Current Christian values may substantially differ. |
Primary Language | Nagamese (4,100 speakers) | |||||||||||||||
Language Code | nag Ethnologue Listing | |||||||||||||||
Primary Dialect | Nagamese | |||||||||||||||
Dialect Code | 4154 Global Recordings Listing | |||||||||||||||
Language Written | Yes ScriptSource Listing | |||||||||||||||
Total Languages | 28 | |||||||||||||||
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) |
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Primary Language | Nagamese (4,100 speakers) |
Language Code | nag Ethnologue Listing |
Primary Dialect | Nagamese |
Dialect Code | 4154 Global Recordings Listing |
Total Languages | 28 |
Secondary Languages (only 15 largest shown) | |
Naga, Southern Rengma 1,400 | |
Naga, Sumi 900 | |
Naga, Zeme 800 | |
Naga, Ao 800 | |
Mizo 700 | |
English 500 | |
Naga, Lotha 500 | |
Naga, Angami 400 | |
Naga, Inpui: Naga, Kabui 400 | |
Naga, Mao 300 | |
Karbi 300 | |
Naga, Chokri 300 | |
Assamese 200 | |
Naga, Tangkhul 200 | |
Naga, Yimchungru 200 | |
People Groups | Speaking Nagamese |
Primary Language: Nagamese
Bible Translation ▲ | Status (Years) |
---|---|
Bible-Portions | Yes |
Bible-New Testament | Yes (2018-2022) |
Bible-Complete | No |
Bible-NT Audio | Online |
Possible Print Bibles | |
---|---|
Amazon | |
World Bibles | |
Forum Bible Agencies | |
National Bible Societies | |
World Bible Finder | |
Virtual Storehouse |
Resource Type ▲ | Resource Name | Source |
---|---|---|
Audio Recordings | Audio Bible teaching | Global Recordings Network |
Audio Recordings | Story of Jesus audio | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | Jesus Film: view in Naga Pidgin | Jesus Film Project |
Film / Video | World Christian Videos | World Christian Videos |
General | Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text, audio, video | Faith Comes by Hearing |
General | Gospel resources links | Scripture Earth |
General | YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | Android Bible app: Nagamese | YouVersion Bibles |
Mobile App | iOS Bible app: Nagamese | YouVersion Bibles |
Text / Printed Matter | Jesus Messiah comic book | General / Other |
Photo Source | Anonymous |
Map Source | People Group data: Omid. Map geography: UNESCO / GMI. Map Design: Joshua Project |
Profile Source | India Missions Association - Edited by Philipose Vaidyar Copyrighted © Used with permission |
Data Sources | Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more. |