Under the 69th series of its online exhibition by Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, on Thursday presented the ‘KHARU’ a traditional Village Gate of Chakhesang Naga situated in the Tribal Habitat open air exhibition has been presented online with its basic information and photographs and videos.
About this exhibition, Praveen Kumar Mishra, Director, IGRMS said that – Nagaland is a beautiful hill state of India situated in a rugged, undulating mountainous terrain. It is inhabited by a large number of ethnic tribes, speaking different languages, having different traditions and culture, separate traditional dress code etc. but all call themselves as Nagas. Nagaland is one of the eight states in the north-eastern region of India, having 16 tribes and Chakhesang Naga is one of them.
The Chakhesang tribal people do not form a single endogamous group. Endogamy continues to be maintained at the sub tribe level. The three tribal segments- Chakhra, Khezha and Sangtam live in their respective territories, speak their own dialects and follow endogamy and other institutional principles of tribeship. Naga wood carving is associated with religious beliefs and practices. The act of wood carving which is as old as the history of their traditional origin may be considered under two main heads connected respectively with head hunting and Morung institution. Carvings of human heads, Mithun (Bos frontalis), chickens, the symbols of sun and crescent moon, fierce fighting Mithuns and female breasts are also carved and depicted on the wooden door.
Though head hunting no longer exists now, it had a fundamental cultural and religious importance in their life in the past. Carving of human heads on the beams and pillars of a warrior's house and Morung and on the door of village gate show that headhunting was the inspiration. In the past Morung was the center of all social activities and also served as the guard house for the village. Head taken is first brought to the Morung. The village young men slept here and kept vigil throughout the year.
