Know Your State Nagaland – Nagaland GK Notes 2021 (Part 1)

In this blog, we’ll talk about the landlocked state of North-Eastern India. Nagaland is a poetic mythology that has travelled beyond centuries. This pristine and rustic state surrounded by hills and hillocks is home to many tribal and sub-tribal groups. 

Which state is the land of world’s hottest chilli pepper? What is the official language of the state Nagaland?

Nagaland is one of the states in the North-eastern part of India that is not only popular for its mesmerizing scenic beauty, but also famous for some important festivities. Nagaland is called the ‘Land of Festivals’. It is a state that has one major festival lined up for every month.

So let’s start diving deep into the state by exploring many amazing and interesting facts about Nagaland. But first, let’s take a glance over the State symbols of Nagaland.                                                                                                          

STATE SYMBOLS OF NAGALAND Nagaland GK Notes:

Let’s go ahead and study the topmost attribute of Nagaland i.e. cultural and social aspects.

 CULTURE Nagaland GK Notes:

Nagaland is one of those few states that are heavily influenced by its ancient culture. The old ways and customs are still practiced here. This region is so rich in heritage and surrounded by beautiful valleys. Tribe traditions and loyalties play an important role in Naga society. They have a strong warrior background.

• Nagaland has an ancient history of tribes with diversity in language and has a similar leafy dress code, eating habits and traditional laws. Nagas are mostly Christians. The state is regarded as the most Baptist state in the world.
• The tribes of the state carry certain folklores showing the respectful acts of their ancestors. The design of shawl denotes the social status of the wearer. The attire worn by the males include a conical red headgear decorated with Hornbill’s black and white feathers and wild boar’s canine teeth. Their costumes aptly display the ancestral lineage.
• The population of Nagaland has 88% of Christian occupancy according to the 2011 census. Nagaland is one of the three states with a Christian-majority in India followed by Mizoram and Meghalaya.                                    
• The main occupation of the Nagaland people is irrigation, but they are also blessed with intelligence, especially the women. Ordinary metals such as iron, brass and tin are used to make exquisite jewellery in the form of armlets, neckbands, bangles etc.
• There is an essence of celebration in the air throughout the year in Nagaland. The diversity of tribes in the region leads to a yearlong ambience of joy through various fairs and festivities organized at times. Some of the most important festivals celebrated by different tribal groups are Suhkruhnye, Yemshe, Sekrenyi, Moatsu Mong, Bushu and many others.
• The Hornbill Festival is marked as the festival of festivals in Nagaland. It is organized by the state government to encourage the interaction among the various tribes and preserve the heritage and traditions of Nagaland. It is celebrated every year in the first week of December.
• Nagaland is the home of Bhut Jolokia which is one of the spiciest chillies in the world. The state is known as the land of world’s hottest chilli pepper.
• Language-wise, Nagaland is the most diverse state in India. Based on the 2011 census data, Nagaland effectively has 14 languages and 17 dialects. Indian English is the official language of Nagaland.

GEOGRAPHY Nagaland GK Notes:

Nagaland is the state of India which lies in the hills and mountains of the north-eastern part of the country. It is exquisitely rich in flora and fauna and is a habitat to some of the dandiest plants and animals along with the beautiful birds. Nagaland is referred to as ‘The Falcon Capital of the World’ due to its diversity in birds.  

• Latitudinal Extension – 25°60’N and 27°40’N
• Longitudinal Extension – 93°20’E and 95°15’E
• Area – 16.579 km²

  Rank in India – 26^th  

• Population – 1,980,602

  Rank in India – 25^th  

• It is one of the smaller states of India that is bounded by the Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh to the northeast, Manipur to the south, and Assam to the west and northwest and the country of Myanmar to the east.
• The major rivers of Nagaland are Doyang, Dikhu, Dhansiri, Tizu, Milak, Dzu, Langlong, Zungki, Likimro, Lanye and Dzuza. 
• There is One National Park, Three Wildlife Sanctuaries, One Zoological Park is in Nagaland. 

Climate Nagaland GK Notes:

Nagaland has a monsoonal wet-dry climate with high humidity levels. The state enjoys a healthy, pleasant climate. Annual rainfall averages between 70 and 100 inches and is concentrated in the months of the southwest monsoon i.e. May to September. In winter, temperatures do not generally drop below 4 °C, but frost is common at high elevations. Summer is the shortest season in the state, lasting for only a few months. The temperature during the summer season remains between 16 to 31 °C. Winter often arrives early, with bitter cold and dry weather striking certain regions of the state. The maximum average temperature in the winter season is 24 °C. Strong northwest winds blow across the state during February and March. Humidity levels are generally high throughout the state.

Soil type:

The most important type of soil that covers about 66% of the land area of Nagaland is the Inceptisols and about 23.8% of the land area of Nagaland is enveloped by the Ultisols. The soil textures consist of fine clay, clay loamy and fine loamy clay. These soil types are predominant near the river beds.

Let’s jump to the political aspects of the state.

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS Nagaland GK Notes:

Nagaland is governed by a Council of Ministers which is headed by a chief minister, one who is responsible to the 60 members of the Legislative Assembly. The constitutional head of state is the Governor that is appointed by the President of India. The state is divided into 12 administrative districts. Unlike other Indian states, Nagaland has granted a huge gradation of sovereignty to its several tribal communities. Each tribe has a hierarchy of councils i.e. at the village, range, and tribal levels to deal with arguments involving breaches of customary laws and usages. Appeals of such cases are made to the Naga Tribunal. Special administrative provisions were made for the Tuensang district, which was put under a regional council elected by all the tribes within the district’s boundaries.

Representation of Nagaland in Parliament:

Assembly seats (unicameral): 60

Rajya Sabha: 1

Lok Sabha: 1

First Governor of Nagaland: Vishnu Sahay

First Chief Minister of Nagaland: P. Shilu Ao

SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NAGALAND:

• Mount Saramati is the highest peak in Nagaland. It stands at 3840 metres and acts as a natural barrier between Nagaland and Myanmar.
• Nagaland is the first and only state in India to register a population decline of 0.47% between 2001 and 2011.
• Naga Hoho is an apex organization formed by local tribes in Nagaland to safeguard tribal rights and customs and land issues in the state.
•  The tribes in Nagaland practiced head hunting till the early 20^th century.
• Kisama near Kohima, is a naga heritage village aimed to protect and preserve the cultural heritage of tribal groups.

Conclusion

Hope this blog made most of your doubts clear about Nagaland. In our forthcoming blog, we will be studying about the other important aspects of Nagaland.

What are the economic aspects of Nagaland? Which place was the ancient capital of Nagaland?

In the next blog, facets correlated with these questions will be answered certainly. If you don’t want to miss it, click here – Know your State ‘Nagaland’ – Part 2. We hope it will help you in the preparation of your exams such SSC 10+2, SSC CGL, CDS, NDA, etc.

Thank you