Traditional Marriage System of the Ao-Nagas

Tiamenla Imsong

Naga, Tattoo, Kidong, Ariju, Tsuki, Morung, Marriage, Tradition, rites, rituals,genna, kibong

ABSTRACT Traditional Marriage System of the Ao Nagas The Naga have written records and that is why the Naga history is so much depended on oral traditions of its customs and habits that were passed down by word of mouth through generations the American Missionaries who were archaeologist, ethnographersand sociologist left an excellent tribal monographs from which we could get important information and study them along with other works done by Naga scholars and bring about an assessment of the traditional ancient marriage system of the Ao Nagas. Nagaland is a land inhabitat by different tribes. This different tribes have their own culture and traditions. Of the different tribes, the Ao Nagas are a major Naga ethnic group native of Mokokchung district inhabiting the North Eastern part of North East India. The Ao Nagas endowed with rich variety of cultural and traditional practices. The Aos belief in recounting their history through oral tradition. It is generally accepted that Chungliyimti is the birth place of the Ao Nagas. It is contended that the Ao Naga custom, norms, system of administration, marriage rules, the ArijuandTsuki (male and female dormitory) system were formulated at Chungliyimti. By way of language, the Ao Nagas are generally divided into the Chungliand Mongsen group. Further, there are variations in the functioning and nomenclature of the administrative system, traditional attire, tattooing and other practices from village to village. Yet, the basic principles underlying the social practices and norms of the Ao Nagas remain the same. It consists of the values, practices and norms that found in the Ao Naga society and are unwritten. It is through the art of remembering and continuous uses that the Ao Naga customary practices and norms find its value in the society. This includes the practice of exogamy (marriage outside the clan), observance of taboo and genna (known as anempong). All customs were of equal importance as the Ao Nagas considered that if one custom is broken, all other customs will also be destroyed. Therefore, much of the customs and usage of the Ao Nagas are retained and practiced even today. This paper is an attempt to understand better about the traditional marriage system of the Ao Nagas and the formation of a family which is regarded as the most important social institution of the Ao Nagas. It is a universally accepted truth that family is the first social unit in any culture and the sustenance and progress of a society depends upon the nature of functioning of its various institutions like family, kinship, institution of marriage and matrimonial laws and customs. For the Ao Nagas, the family (kibong) is the most important social institution. The norms regarding the family are, therefore, the basis on which Ao Naga society is founded. Many scholars have mentioned about the traditional social customs of the Ao Nagas but a detailed primary information has not been gathered regarding the traditional norms of the marriage system of the Ao Nagas. There are certain customary matrimonial processors, customary laws, rites and rituals, taboo and gennas to be performed and fulfilled in various stages pertaining to marriage that is to be recorded systematically and in detail. This paper emphasizes on the working system of the traditional social institution that molds up a person into a responsible citizen in the Ao Naga society during ancient times. There has been continuity and changes on the traditional marriage practices of the Ao Nagas over time. As Christianity had tremendously influence the life of the Ao Nagas, certain rituals and customs are now discarded. Key words:- Naga, Tattoo, Kidong, Ariju, Tsuki, Morung, Marriage, Tradition, rites, rituals,genna, kibong, TIAMENLA IMSONG Assistant Professor Kohima College Kohima, Nagaland tiamenims@gmail.com Contact No. -7005952016 8259823542

Volume 14 Issue 4, April-2026

Pages : f947-f956