The dress of the Naga people is quite different from that of the rest of the country. The distinctiveness attracts people from around the world to the clothing style of Nagaland. According to their beliefs, they give a lot of weight to their costumes. They feel that their dressing is what represents their identity. Also, it makes them different from the rest of the crowd.
Their dresses are woven using traditional local looms. Their attire is defined by intricate motifs and rich colors that are unique to each of the state’s tribes.
Their art of weaving!
The heart of their traditional clothing is the loin loom, which the Naga woman weaves. Primarily, their clothing is produced using cotton and locally sourced dyes. The color palette used is rich and deliberate. Different colors symbolize different meanings, like red symbolizes courage, while black represents strength.
Also, clothing is not all about protection from the weather. It is a visual language that represents the marital status, societal rank, and life achievements of an individual. Therefore, their attire is quite significant for them.
Traditional Dress of Nagaland for women!
Typically, their outfits comprise a wrap-around skirt, which is known as Mechala or Mekhala, along with an upper garment.
- Angami Women
Their traditional wear includes a skirt, which is made from white or blue cloth. It is styled with thick and varying black bands. Generally, they pair it with an embroidered shawl.
- Ao Women
It is a lower garment. It features intricate and narrow horizontal stripes. The upper wrappers are adorned with geometric shapes and lines. At that time, women also accessorized it with petticoats.
Traditional Dress of Nagaland for Men!
Their lower garment is generally a stiff, knee-length loincloth or lungi. They cover their upper body with the respective ceremonial shawl.
- Headgear
Headgear plays an important role in completing a man’s attire. Men used to wear brightly colored headgear, which was generally red in color. Their headgear was decorated with the feathers of the great hornbill and wild boar tusks. The bravery of the wearer is represented by their accessory.
Their distinct Naga shawls!
The Naga shawl is one of the most important elements to complete their look. Naga is home to 16 major tribes. And each of them has a different Shawl design that represents their identity. Here, we will discuss a few:
- Tsungkotepsu: It is a famous warrior shawl which is exclusive to men who have earned it during battles or by performing the Mithun sacrifice.
- Lohe Shawl: The Shawl is recognized by its thick and bold horizontal bands of red, black, and yellow colors with a white background. The Shawl is not just visually striking but is highly prized.
- Rongsu: It is another revered shawl that associates wealth with it, featuring vivid geometric patterns showing the social standing of a man.
Accessories and ornaments!
Naga people wear stunning jewelry that is made up of beads, brass, horn, shells, and other precious stones. Their jewelry shows their identity and social status.
Bottom line!
Now, the young generation has adopted the modern clothing style, but the traditional attire is also quite common. They are proudly preserving their ancestral legacy while passing it down to the generations.