Discovering North East India

Discovering North East India

Location 

North-East India lie deep in the lap of easternmost Himalayan hills in north-eastern part of India. Connected to rest of India by merely 20 km of wide land (at Siliguri, West Bengal), the North-East India shares over 2,000 km of border with Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh. 

States under North East India.

1. Arunachal Pradesh

2. Assam

3. Meghalaya

4. Mizoram

5. Manipur

6. Nagaland

7. Sikkim

8. Tripura

 Area: 2,55168 sq km 

Population: 40 million. Brahmaputra valley (Assam) is the most populated, and houses almost half of the population of North-East India. 

Religions: Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism.
Languages: English, Assamese, Garo, Jaintia, Khasi, Bengali, Mizo, Manipuri, Nagamese, Lepcha, Limboo, Bhutia (Sikkimese), Bhutia (Tibetan), Hindi and several other local dialects.
 

Cultures and Traditions
The North-East India is home to varied number of tribal groups (almost 166). Each tribes has their own distinct culture, which gives them a unique cultural identity. Numerous of art forms and festivals of the region are intrinsic part of its rich culture and tradition of North-East India.

Cuisine
Though North-East India is very rich in its food culture, yet, it differs vastly from rest of the country in its taste as well as flavours. Each of states have almost same fooding behaviours. Normally, inhabitants of the region are non-vegetarian, and fond of spicy foods.
            In most part of North-East India, animals are considered to be good diet. In Nagaland, Green vegetables, birds, animals (Domestic and wild) Bamboo shots and Locally made Rice-beer are some favourite items. In Tripura and Assam, fish are the favourite dish. While in Assam, various forms of rice are consumed. Recipes like Assam Laksa Stock, Koat Pitha, Bamboo Shoot Fry, Fish Fried Rice, Grilled Shrimps and Poora Mach are some of the most famous cuisine of North-East India.

Geographical attractions
Shrouded by mighty Himalayan hills, the entire North-East region is believed to be one of the most beautiful region in South Asia in terms of fetching immense opportunities of eco-tourism. The dense forests lying in foothills of Himalayan hills are stunning in their natural beauty, and are home to many of wildlife parks including Manas National Park and Kaziranga National Park, which are natural World Heritage Site. Besides, numerous of lovely waterfalls and caves are another beautiful attraction of the wonderful land of North-East India.
          Termed aptly as hidden treasure of India, North-East India is one of the most significant region of South-Asia in terms of availability of eco tourism opportunities. As the whole region is abode to majestic Himalayan hills, beautiful valleys and dense forests, the opportunity of nature based tourism is immense. Abundance of eco activities like Trekking, Rafting, Nature Walk, Jungle Exploration and Wildlife Viewing indulge tourists predominantly in discovering the exquisite natural heritage of the region.

Problems and issues.

Northeastern region of India is home to many ethnic groups. These ethnic groups spread across India and Myanmar. There are as many as 40 armed groups fighting for Independence, Statehood, Autonomy and districts.The inter Tribal conflicts, boundary disputes, Tribal and non-Tribal issues, lack of developments and Employment problems are some major issues confronting the Region.

           The States/Provinces like Sikkim, Mizoram and Nagaland are more peaceful than the other States of the region in terms of external threats, internal conflicts, terror threats and insurgency problems.

Tips for Tourists

While traveling to North-Eastern states like Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura, Tourist doesn’t require any permits for visits except that you need to register upon your arrival and departure. However, due to strategic geographical location, Tourist needs to acquire Restricted Area Permits while entering other North-Eastern states like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland.

Purest form of democracy practiced by Naga Society

Purest form of democracy practiced by Naga Society
(The unique Naga Customs and Traditions)

The administration and governance system of the Nagas were unique in nature since time immemorial. At no point of time were the Nagas conquered nor subjected to any authority. Therefore, the origin of the systems practiced by the Nagas were evolved with time or borrowed from somewhere was not known. Every village was ruled by the headman/King of the village. Animism was the religion practised by the Nagas. While the main occupation was Agricultrual.
The Headman/King can be best described as Priest because headman's powers & functions were restricted to Religious and ceremonial activities. ( like Queen/King of UK and the President of India) All the Villages were sovereign Republic and there was no common government or authority above Villages.
One of the most important and peculiar social system of the Nagas was they co-existed harmoniously where the bigger or superior villages discriminating or enslaving the smaller villages or vice-versa never existed.

The harshest punishment/highest degree of punishment involving the justice system of the Naga Customary law was banishment from village for ten years. This shows the Nagas were peace loving and Humane in nature.
The administration & governance of the village rest with the Representatives/leaders elected/selected from every Clan. The Clans will select one member amongst themselves and the elected members from every Clan will collectively make laws, decide disputes and look after the entire administration & governance of the village under the headman. Those elected leaders usually sits together every evening after returning from their cultivation fields. The headman/priest will not involve in decision making or meetings but the village leaders are duty bound to informed/briefed him on any activities. Any decision taken by the village leaders will be consensus or on the basis of the Majority opinion. The general meetings were also convened when
important decisions are to be taken. Thus, the Nagas practised purest form of democracy since time immemorial.

The headman/priest plays  very important role in day to day live. Few example; it was taboo to plant or to reap the crops before the headman finished the rituals. It was taboo to eat or drink anything before the Priest during some festivals and important occasions.
Anybody who went for hunting or fishing will offered the best portion to Priest. It was taboo to clear jungles for cultivations before the Priest performed rituals.
The Nagas are rich in cultures and traditions. They have more than 10 festivals in a calender year. Performing various Religious rituals like giving thanks, ask for blessings etc. from their deity/god by the priest alone or by the entire villagers were very common feature of their daily life. Therefore, the Priest were considered as the father of the village. So also, there used to be Religious activities throughout the year without break, and the
rituals cannot be performed without the Priest.
The unwritten customary laws (now available in written) are still practised by the Nagas. The special provision in respect to Nagaland was incorporated under Article 371 (A) of the India Constitution,
which reads as follow; Notwithstanding anything in this  Constitution,- (a) no Act of Parliament in respect of-
(i) religious or social practices of the Nagas,
(ii) Naga customary law and procedure,
(iii) administration of Civil and criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law,
(iv) ownership and transfer of land and its resources,
Shall apply to the State of Nagaland unless the Legislative Assembly of Nagaland by a resolution so decides.

The social  systems like class, caste, zamindari, discrimination etc never existed in Naga society. Every individual owns properties and lands sufficient to feed their families. Nagas were living peacefully before the advent of Britishers. Today, the Naga society is plagued with all sorts of corruptions and anti-socials which were alien to them some 200 years back.