The Chakhesangs are a Naga ethnic group that inhabit in present-day Nagaland’s Phek District, and are made up of three linguistic sub-tribes as 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 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 to Khezakenoma village after their departure from Makhel Village (Rekha & Krocha, 2013).

The Chakhesangs were previously known as the “Eastern Angamis” under the British administration till the 1940s, inhabiting the eastern section of the Naga Hills’ Kohima administrative division. 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 the Nagaland state administration and is part of the Chakhesang tribe, which now stands for the word “sang”(CPO Souvenir, 2021).

Agriculture is the primary occupation of the Chakhesangs, with the bulk of the population involved in various agricultural activities. Terrace and jhum cultivation are practised, where rice, maize, beans, cabbage, fruits and other horticultural products are grown and produced. One of the oldest agricultural systems still used today is terrace paddy cultivation with the 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 origin and connection in agricultural practices.

The ritual of ZHOTHO (Chokri), ZHATHO (Khezha) and ZHODU (Poula/Sopu) is a prehistoric tradition that stands as a witness of “status” and “wealth” amongst the Chakhesangs, and is sometimes referred to as “Feast of Merit” by anthropologist (Venuh, 2021). This tradition/practice is visible in each Chakhasang village through the ruins/remains of the many ‘Megalithic erections’ found scattered in and around the village.

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 donors / 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 called “Thipikhii’ which literally means “animal-head shawl” (Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021).

The Feasts of Merit has undergone considerable change as a result of the spread 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 honouring or presenting the shawl to those who host the Christmas feast and also given to important leaders to honour their contribution to the society (Yekha-ü and Marak, 2021). The donars can put up on the eaves of their house a wooden crossbeam canned “Ceka” (Horse horn) with the ends above the root tilting skyward (Venuh, 2021).

The Chakhesangs’ biggest festivals are “Sükrünye” (Chokri), “Tsükhenye” (Khezha) and “Thuni” (Poumai). Sükrünye is celebrated begining 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 santification ceremonies were no longer practised.

TSUKHENYE is another important festival of the Chakhesangs which is celebrated on May 6th and lasts for 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 a festival for 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 to the “Feast of Merit” during the festival perform so during the weeklong event (Rekha & Krocha, 2013).

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Contributed to the International Council of Naga Affairs (ICNA) by Thepuzo Keyho, Assitant Professor, Department of Political Science, Tetso College, Dimapur, Nagaland. The write-up was commissioned by Commissioning Editor Salikyu Sangtam, PhD. Published on October 21, 2023. 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 filed/Photo: Yekha-ü, & Marak, 2021; Hapidasa/Elicura/Thuphikhu (The “Feast of Merit shawl”) and Ruzakhu/Therudoera/Sapurudu /Photo: Chakhesang Public organization 75th souvenir, 2021, Ceka in Pholami villag/Photo: Yekha-ü, & Marak, 2021..

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References:

Dukru R. Rekha & Krocha R. Vishu, “The Chakhesangs a window to Phek District ”, Chakhesang Students’ Union, 2013.

Venuh Zhokho, “Feast of Merit and Megalithic erections among the Chakhesangs”, in Chakhesang Public Organisation 75th Souvenir, Phek, 2021, pp. 245-252.

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.

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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