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| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 120,000 approx. in Myanmar and 61,647 (2011), Nagaland[1] | |
| Languages | |
| 1Patsho Khiamniungan2Khiamniungan language | |
| Religion | |
| 99.07% Christianity[2] | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Naga people |
| Part ofa series on |
| Naga people |
|---|
| Ethnic groups |
| Languages |
Khiamniungan Nagas are a transnational Naga tribe inhabiting the northwestern Myanmar and northeastern India.[3]
They are the inhabitants ofNoklak District in the state ofNagaland,India, and of Lahe Township, Htanparkway Sub-Township, and Leyshi Township of theNaga Self-Administered Zone and Hkhamti District of theSagaing Region inMyanmar.
The nomenclature of the word "Khiamniungan" is derived from the word "Khiam" meaning "Water", "Niu" meaning "Great", and "Ngan" meaning "Source". Thus, the term "Khiamniungan" meaning "Source of great water/river", The nomenclature derives from the two biggest river flowing in Khiamniungan region, the Zungki river and the Chindwin river in Myanmar.[4]
The origin of the Khiamniungan people remains uncertain since there was no written record; however the people of Khiamniungan trace their earliest origin to a place called "Khiamniungan Nokthang" which is located below Lengnyu Village - Tsuwao Village,[5] Panso circle, Noklak district.
After residing in Khiamniungan Nokthang for generations, the Khiamniungan people gradually moved in different directions to form several villages /hamlets.There were four waves of migration,
This group migrated to a place called "Lumoking" and further to form thePathso range and thePeshu range.
Likewise, another group migrated toNokhu Thangsoun and gradually went north to form the Thang range and theWolam range.
And another group settled at a place known as "Shiadkhan", and settled and formed the Nokhu range.
Finally, the last group migrated from Nokhu due to overpopulation and migrated eastwards towardsLahe,Leyshi, andHkhamti, and thus this expansion extended up to the Northern bank of Jǖhōknyù or Chuhoongan (Chindwin River) and beyond in Myanmar.[6]
During the British Raj, the Khiamniungan were wrongly referred to as "Kalyo-Kengyu," named after the snow-clad Patkai mountain range, locally known as "Khelia".[7]
In the works ofJ.H. Hutton, he noted them for their fine iron works such as Daos, spearheads, red cane helmets, and leggings.[8]
The first Khiamniungan to convert to Christianity was Khaming in 1947.[9] Thereafter, a number of Khiamniungans converted to Christianity. After the new education system, social system, modernization, and Christianity, there have been drastic changes in their social life.
The traditional Khiamniungan village had eight important people:[10]
By the early 1990s, only the Petche, the Sonlang, and the Ainloom remained relevant, others being remembered mainly as part of books and oral tradition.[10]
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One of the most important social institution in the past was ultimately thePou (/pɒu³³/ⓘ), a grand building with a hugePhie(/pʰie³³/ⓘ) kept inside against the side wall which was primarily the cornerstone and a pivotal institution of the community throughout early times.[11]
The traditional Khiamniungan attires consist of bright red and bright deep blue colored dresses. The ornaments are made ofcowries andconch shells. The most notable ones amongst them isNütsah(/nə³³.tsɑʔ³³/ⓘ) and Shietsapnie.[12]
The ethnic musical instruments include drums made ofgourds andbamboo flutes.
Most of the Khiamniungans in India are acquainted withPatsho Khiamniungan(/pɑ³³.tsʰɒ⁵⁵kʰiɑm³³.ɲu⁵⁵.ŋn⁵⁵/ⓘ) which is also one of the main languages within their geographical region.[13]
The festival is Celebrated annually in the third week of January, the wordkhaozao meaning 'Bamboo cup with a straw pipe" andsey meaning "brew of local wine" andhok means "legs", andah means "to rest".[14]
Significance
1] Festival is about rest and celebration with a local brew.
2] Restoration of peace between villagers.
Miu is observed on 5 May every year, the festival is celebrated by the entire community with enthusiasm.
Significance
1]Sowing of seeds by offering prayer, rituals, and ceremonies to appease the gods for the protection of crops.[15]
2] The festival marks the end of the merrymaking season and the beginning of the agricultural season.
3] To build a cordial relationship and to forge a close-knit relationship between the maternal uncle and his sister's offspring - nephews and nieces.[16]
Tsoukum is the week-longharvest festival celebrated in October. The festival includes dancing, singing, cleaning, repairing the roads, and outdoor cooking and eating.[17]
Significance
1] To offer and invoke God's blessing for a bountiful harvest[18]
A wordplay or pun is one of the unique cultures of the Khiamniungans since the inception of the villages. Traditionally, it was played between villages in the form of competition, unlike today's norm of performing for entertainment purposes.[19]
| Mizoram |  Naga woman | |
|---|---|---|
| Nagaland | ||
| Meghalaya | ||
| Arunachal Pradesh | ||
| Manipur | ||
| Tripura | ||
| Assam | ||
| Sikkim | ||
| Kuki tribes including: | ||
| Naga tribes including: | ||
