ANGAMI TRIBES - NAGALAND

THE ANGAMI NAGA HUMAN SETTLEMENT AND PLANNING THE ANGAMI NAGA IS ONE OF THE MAJOR NAGA TRIBES RESIDING IN THE INDIAN STATE OF NAGALAND. THEIR SETTLEMENT PATTERNS AND WAY OF LIFE ARE DEEPLY INFLUENCED BY THEIR CULTURE, TRADITIONS, AND THE HILLY TERRAIN THEY INHABIT.

MOTHINATH A 20133076 SEMESTER 7

SPADE - HITS

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE Angami vernacular architecture is a reflection of their environment, cultural identity, and historical significance. The vernacular architecture of the Angami Naga tribes features stilted houses made of bamboo and wood, with thatched roofs, a rectangular shape, one main entrance, and decorative elements, reflecting their adaptability to the hilly terrain and communal construction practices.

HOUSING Traditional Angami houses are designed to meet the challenges of their environment: Longhouses: Angami houses are long and rectangular, often divided into sections for various purposes, such as cooking, sleeping, and storage.

Thatched Roofs: Thatched roofs provide insulation from extreme weather conditions, keeping the interiors cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Stilted Design: The use of stilts protects the houses from flooding and provides a shaded area underneath for various activities.

It's important to note that while the Angami tribe retains many of their traditional practices, they have also adapted to modern influences in various aspects of their culture and way of life. The preservation of their cultural heritage and identity remains an important part of their community.

MATERIALS The construction of traditional Angami houses primarily relies on locally available materials. These materials are selected for their suitability to the region's climate and the need for a raised, flood-resistant structure: Bamboo: Bamboo is a versatile and sustainable material that forms the framework of Angami houses. It is used for the walls and floors, providing the basic structural support.

Wood: Wood is used for the framework and support beams, contributing to the structural stability of the house. It is also used in the construction of the wooden stilts on which the house is raised.

Thatch: Thatched roofing materials, often made from leaves or grass, are used for the roof. Thatch provides natural insulation and helps in maintaining a comfortable temperature within the house.

Woven Cane: Woven cane is employed for various aspects of the house, including partitions and sometimes for flooring. It adds to the overall durability of the structure.

PATTERN OF HOUSING Angami Naga Village and House: Angami Nagas are hill people depending basically on cultivation and livestock-rearing. Angamis are one of the only two groups of Nagas out of the seventeen who practice wet rice cultivation on terraces made on the hillslopes. This allows them to cultivate the same plot year after year. They depend, to a very small extent, on slash-and-burn cultivation. Angamis were traditionally warriors, the Angami men spent majority of their time in warfare with hostile villages and taking heads. Houses are irregularly arranged in an Angami village, though there is a supposition that the Angami house should face east.

Each house has an open space in front of it and houses are connected by irregular paths. Small gardens are frequently made near houses and may contain maize or mustard.

Nearly every Angami village has an open space that serves as a meeting place and ceremonial locus for all of the village inhabitants.

This area may also contain plinths for sitting made of stone masonry or wood.

These stations (which often surmounted village walls or other high points in the village and could rise as high as 9 meters) may have originally been used as posts for watchers whose purpose was to warn of impending enemy attack.

Morung does not assume a place of prominence in Angami villages, some of which have no morung in the traditional sense; the house so designated is occupied by a family while simultaneously being recognized as the village morung.

Angami House: The house is usually home to no more than five persons.

A typical Angami house is a one-story structure with leveled earth used as flooring.

It is from 10 to 20 meters in length and from 6 to 12 meters in width.

Material used in home roofing is determined by individual status in the village, and there are four such degrees. A firstdegree house may be roofed with thatching grass, a second-degree house with bargeboards, a third-degree house with bargeboards and kika (house horns), and a fourth-degree house with wooden shingles and kika (which differ at times in shape and placement on the house).

Interior arrangement of Angami house: The interior of each house contains three compartments: kiloh, mipubu, kinutse.

The front room (kiloh) is half the length of the house. Paddy is stored here in baskets along one or both walls and the room is furnished with a bench (pikeh) for rice pounding.

The second compartment (mipubu)is separated by a plank partition containing a doorway. It is here that the hearth is located (consisting of three stones embedded in the ground to form a stand for cooking containers). The Angamis traditionally built a fireplace with three stones. Before building a new house, the man of the house builds a fireplace. When the construction of the home is complete and only thatching is left, the fire is to be brought from the house of a Kika Kepfuma, that is, a man who has performed the Lesu ritual and has thus earned a higher social status and the right to put horns on his chouse. If there is no such person in the clan of the house builder then fire is brought from the house of any person none of whose children have died. This fire is taken inside the new house by the owner who wears a ceremonial dress and carries a spear. It was considered a serious offence to put out a man‘s fire. Even now, in Angami villages the fire in the hearth is not allowed to go out completely.

This room also serves as sleeping quarters, and beds (raised ½ or 1 meter from the ground) are found here.

The third compartment, 1 meter or so in depth and extending the entire width of the house, is the kinutse, where the liquor vat is located. This room also contains the rear entrance to the house.

The walls of Angami Naga house are decorated with stylized mithun, ox heads. The number of ox heads are attributed to the persons wealth, indicating the number of feast given.

PLAN

SECTIONAL VIEW

FESTIVE AND FUNCTIONS The Angami Naga tribe, like many other Naga tribes, celebrates a variety of festivals and functions, which are an integral part of their cultural and social life. These festivals are characterized by a blend of religious, cultural, and traditional elements Sekrenyi: This is the most significant festival for the Angami Naga tribe. It usually takes place in the month of February, and it marks the celebration of the Angami New Year. The festival includes various rituals, feasting, traditional games, and cultural performances. It is a time when the community comes together to seek blessings, offer prayers, and renew social bonds.

Tsuwamkikha: This is a pre-harvest festival celebrated with much enthusiasm. It involves offerings to the gods and ancestral spirits for a bountiful harvest. The festival typically includes prayers, songs, dances, and feasting.

Ngada Festival: This festival is celebrated in honor of the spirits and ancestors. It involves rituals conducted by village priests or shamans. The purpose is to appease the spirits and seek their blessings for the well-being of the community.

Weddings and Family Functions: Weddings and other family functions are significant events in the Angami Naga community. They involve traditional customs, rituals, feasting, and dances.

TRADITIONS Oral Traditions: Angami Naga society preserves its cultural heritage through a rich tradition of oral storytelling, passing down folk tales, myths, and legends from generation to generation.

Weaving and Textiles: Skilled weaving is a significant tradition, with Angami Naga women creating intricate and colorful shawls and garments that hold cultural and symbolic meaning.

Rites of Passage: Various rites of passage, such as birth, puberty, and death rituals, are observed in accordance with their cultural traditions and beliefs.

Warrior Traditions: Historically, the Angami Naga were known for their warrior traditions, including headhunting practices, which have now largely ceased.

Tattoos and Body Art: Traditional tattooing and body art were once significant among the Angami Naga as symbols of tribal identity and cultural pride.

CLOTHING Shawls: Angami Naga women wear intricately woven, colorful shawls with unique patterns that often convey cultural symbolism and stories.

Skirts: Women complement their shawls with skirts, which may feature decorative elements like beads or shells.

Waistcoats: Women may don waistcoats over their blouses or dresses, often adorned with decorative elements.

Headgear: Traditional headgear like headbands or scarves is worn, often matching the overall attire and decorated with beadwork.

Beads and Accessories: Both men and women adorn themselves with beaded necklaces, bracelets, and other accessories made from locally sourced materials.

Footwear: Traditional footwear often includes handwoven or leather sandals suitable for the hilly terrain.

FOOD Rice: Rice is the staple food of the Angami Naga people and forms the basis of their meals. It is usually served with various accompaniments.

Meat: Meat, particularly pork, is an essential part of their diet. They also consume chicken, fish, and game meat, which is locally hunted.

Chutneys: Chutneys made from local ingredients like bamboo shoots, fermented soybeans, and chilies are commonly used to add flavor to their meals.

Fermented Foods: Fermented foods are prevalent in their diet, and they include items like fermented bamboo shoots, fermented soybeans, and fish paste.

Local Beverages: The Angami Naga people prepare traditional alcoholic beverages like rice beer, which is often consumed during festivals and social gatherings.

Traditional Dishes: Some traditional dishes include "Smoked Pork with Bamboo Shoots," "Bamboo Steamed Fish," and "Kappa" (a type of yam).