The Chakhesangs are a Naga ethnic group that inhibit in present-day Nagaland’s Phek District and are made up of three linguistic sub-tribes: Khezha, Sapuh or Poula [Poumai Chakhesang], and Chokri. Phek District is bordered on the west by Kohima District, on the north by Zunheboto and Kiphire Districts, on the southeast by Myanmar, and on the south by Manipur State. They are believed to have migrated from Makhel/Makhraira, a Mao Naga village now located in Manipur’s Senapati District, to their present settlement. As histories and traditions are passed down orally, there is no written record of where and how the migration route is separated, but it is widely believed and agreed that most Chakhesang villages had their roots in Khezakenoma village after their departure from Makhel village (Rekha & Krocha, 2013).
The Chakhesangs were previously known as the “Eastern Angamis” under British control until the 1940s, inhabiting the eastern section of the Naga Hills’ Kohima administrative region. The British rulers grouped them with the Angami tribe as “Eastern Angamis,” and historians, anthropologists, and sociologists frequently used the term in their writings (CPO Souvenir, 2021). The name “Chakhesang” emerged from the acronym of three ethnic groups: the Chakrü (Chokri), Khezha (Kuzhami), and Southern Sangtam (now Pochury). With the formation of the Pochury tribe, the Pochury are no longer part of the Chakhesang tribe in the present day. A smaller population of the Poumai tribe, consisting of a few villages in the “Razeba Area,” falls under Nagaland state administration and is part of the Chakhesang tribe, which now stands for the term “sang” (CPO Souvenir, 2021).
Agriculture is the primary occupation of the Chakhesangs, with the bulk of the population involved in various agricultural pursuits. Terrace and jhum farming are used, and rice, maize, beans, cabbage, fruits, and other horticultural items are grown and produced. One of the oldest agricultural systems still used today is terrace paddy cultivation with a well-managed water distribution system. Agriculture and community life are so interconnected that some of the most famous folk melodies, folktales, steps of traditional dances, and festivals celebrated all have their origins and connections in agricultural practices.
Erected stones along the Zhavame village pathway leading to the paddy fields
The ritual of ZHOTHO (Chokri), ZHATHO (Khezha), and ZHODU (Poula/Sopu) is a prehistoric tradition that stands as a witness of “status” and “wealth” among the Chakhesangs and is sometimes referred to as “Feast of Merit” by anthropologists (Venuh, 2021). This tradition/practice is visible in each Chakhasang village through the ruins/remains of the many ‘Megalithic constructions’ dispersed across the town. The stones that have been erected are largely commemorative stones that have been erected following a succession of large feasts held by wealthy members of the community. While the rites conducted and observed by different linguistic groups and even villages within the same group may alter slightly, the feast provided and the merits won by the donors are more or less the same. Rich contributors get the opportunity to wear a white shawl “Ruzakhwu or Phavakhwu” (in chokri), “Therukedera” (in Khezha), or “Sapuriidu” (in Poula) after providing a series of feasts and rites. After the feast, the couple will be eligible to wear a specially designed shawl known as “Thipikhii,” which translates as “animal-head shawl” (Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021).
The Feasts of Merit have changed dramatically as a result of the introduction of Christianity. People stopped performing the rites and animal sacrifices associated with this tradition. However, the need to preserve this symbolic and rich culture associated with the “Feasts of Merit” has led the people to continue with the tradition of honoring or presenting the shawl to those who host the Christmas feast and are also given to important leaders to honor their contribution to society (Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021). The donors can also put up on the eaves of their house a wooden crossbeam called “Ceka” (House horn) with the ends above the roof tilting skyward (Venuh, 2021).
Ceka in Pholami village is adorned with wood carvings of Mithun, buffalo motifs, and the top beam shaped in the form of a horn symbolizing that the owner of the house has performed all the designated Feasts of Merit.
The Chakhesangs’ biggest festivals are “SÜKRÜNYE” (Chokri), “TSÜKHENYE” (Khezha), and “THUNI” (Poumai). SÜKRÜNYE is observed beginning on January 15th and lasts at least six days. It is a sanctification festival for young boys and girls who participate in a number of religious rites during the event. The last day of the festival is marked by a grand celebration with performances of traditional dance, songs, and traditional games (Rekha & Krocha, 2013). Although, with the arrival of Christianity, religious rites and sanctification ceremonies were no longer practiced.
TSÜKHENYE is an important festival that takes place on May 6th and lasts four days. During this event, married women visit their parents’ homes and prepare the nicest meals for their husbands. On the final day of the festival, traditional songs and games are performed to celebrate the culmination of all leisure activities and to welcome a new year and a fruitful life (Rekha & Krocha, 2013). Another notable celebration celebrated in early January is THUNI. It is a celebration of new things, whether it be in the form of fruit, vegetables, or paddy. Those who choose to celebrate the “Feast of Merit” during the festival perform so during the weeklong event (Rekha & Krocha, 2013).
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References
1. Dukru R. Rekha & Krocha R. Vishu, “The Chakhesangs a window to Phek District ”, Chakhesang Students’ Union, 2013.
2. Venuh Zhokho, “Feast of Merit and Megalithic erections among the Chakhesangs”, in Chakhesang Public Organisation 75th Souvenir, Phek, 2021, pp. 245-252.
3. Von Fürer-Haimendorf, C., and J. P. Mills. “The Sacred Founder’s Kin among the Eastern Angami Nagas.” Anthropos, vol. 31, no. 5/6, 1936, pp. 922–33. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/40448517. Accessed 10 Oct. 2023.
4. Yekha-ü, & Marak, Q. (2021). Elicüra: The “Feasts of Merit” Shawl of the Chakhesang Naga of Northeast India. The Oriental Anthropologist, 21(1), 138–157. https://doi.org/10.1177/0972558X21990790
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Contributed to the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA) by Thepuzo Keyho, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Tetso College, Dimapur, Nagaland. The write-up was commissioned by Commissioning Editor Salikyu Sangtam, PhD. ICNA reserves all rights.
Featured Image: Sükrünye (Photo: Ministry of Tourism, GoI – UTSAV)
Content Image: Erected stones along the Zhavame village pathway leading to the paddy fields/Photo: Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021; Hapidasa/Elicüra/Thüphikhü (The “Feast of Merit” shawl) & Ruzakhu/Therudiera/Sapurudu /Photo: Chakhesang Public Organisation 75th Souvenir, 2021; Ceka in Pholami village/Photo: Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021. The picture has been reworked/merged by the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA).
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