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India is so diverse, massive, and complex that it is impossible to summarize in a sentence, a fool's errand to summarize in a paragraph, and still difficult to describe in an encyclopedia. One of the most unique places in India is the state of Nagaland. The state is famous for its traditional tribes and for being a world apart from the rest of India.

India is a country like none other and is a place first-time travelers have plenty to watch out for. When traveling with the right expectations, India offers a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience.

What To Know Of India's Unique State Of Nagaland

Nagaland is in the northeastern region of India. With around 2 million inhabitants, it is one of the smallest states in India. The state was born as the 16th state of India in 1963

  • Population: 2 Million
  • Size: 16,579 square kilometers (6,401 sq mi)
  • Capital: Kohima (Largest City Dimapur)

Nagaland is a mountainous state with excellent hiking in the Dzukou Valley. Nagaland is a lush land of hills, natural caves, forests, wildlife, and more.

It should be noted that the northeast region of India is complicated for tourists. The region has little tourist infrastructure, there are some security concerns, and there are travel restrictions in some parts of the region. Check with the Indian government before visiting to know if there are any restrictions on foreigners in the area.

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Nagaland - See A State Dominated By Traditional Tribes

One of the key things that make Nagaland unique is that it is inhabited almost completely by Naga tribes. These are traditional tribes in India, and there are 16 Naga tribes in the state (plus four non-Naga tribes).

The sixteen tribes are Ao, Konyak, Sema, Chakhesang, Angami, Lotha, Sangtam, Phom, Chang, Kheimungan, Yimchunger, Zeilang, Rengma, Tikhir, Mokware, and Chirr. The four non-Naga tribes are Kuki, Kachari, Garo, and Mikir.

Almost 90% of the population of Nagaland are Christians, but they still protect the remnants of their animist culture and ancient traditions. It is one of the few places where the two main religions of India (Hinduism and Islam) constitute only a small minority (around 10%) of the population.

According to Top Tour Guide, the people of Nagaland are friendly. Nagaland is a "land of the welcoming and warm Nagas."

There are many languages spoken in Nagaland. Most of the people are Naga people whose languages belong to the Sino-Tibetan language family and are completely unrelated to Hindi. No language is spoken natively by more than 15% of the population. The most common language is Konyak, that's spoken by around a quarter of a million people (or 12% of the population).

The official language of Nagaland is English.

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Nagaland Organized Tribal Tour

Nagaland is undeveloped for tourism, and perhaps the best way to explore it is with an organized tour. One of the main attractions is its rich mosaic of tribes. Explore the tribes of Nagaland with the Nagaland Tribal Tour and explore the rich tribal culture and their unique lifestyle.

See daily life in the region, sample the local dishes, see a water storage system made of bamboo and perhaps see traditional festivals (the Hornbill Festival is a must).

  • Duration: 14 Days and 13 Nights
  • Trip Type: Road Trip
  • Price: Inquire For a Quote

Guests on the tour get to live with the tribes and learn about their preserved way of life. Stay in traditional villages, wander through rice paddies, hike through mountains, and more.

Visit The Hornbill Festival

Nagaland is a cultural place with a milage of festivals that are celebrated joyously year long but one such event that eagerly keeps every individual waiting is the Hornbill Festival.

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Get an inside peek into the culture of Nagaland with the famous Hornbill Festival. The festival is named after the famous Hornbill bird that is also of significance in the folklore of the tribes. The tour is held annually and is celebrated in the first ten days of December in the capital of the state.

The festival lasts a week and unites all the people of Nagaland. Visitors will get to see colorful performances, crafts, food fairs, ceremonies, games, and much more. Crafts include wood carvings, sculptures, and paintings.

Explore the festival with the Hornbill Festival tour package (6 days and five nights), or make one's way there by oneself. The tour also includes nature walks and overnight camping in Seikhakie a visit to the first Green Village of India.