07/06/2025
A Brief Account Of Anāl Naga
1. The Origin of Anāl Naga Tribe
Anthropologically Anāl Naga Tribe belongs to the Tibeto-Burman or Sino-Tibetan family of Mongoloid race. A**ls had inhabited the upper plain and hill areas of Yangtze and Howang Ho rivers in China for centuries in BCE. Later, they migrated to upper Burma/Myanmar-Shan state and inhabited Kabaw Valley in the Trans-Chindwin basin. It is popularly believed that their migration was due to frequent natural calamities and rivalry with other racial groups. Their sojourn in Kabaw Valley is indicated by the stone-megaliths erected by them. Then, the last wave of their migration took place via the sea-coast of Arakan, to their present home-land ‘Kankhu’. It is told in their folk narratives that Anāls came from the eastern regions called, in Anāl, Somjowl, Tejowl and Dutejowl.
2. How the tribe is named, “Anāl”
Anāl tribe is an old Naga tribe having its own established kingdom from time immemorial.
There are many theories on the origin of the name ‘Anāl’. However, in Anāl language, the word ‘Anāl’ means “Slip out from or Escape from”.
The name ‘Anāl’ is derived from the following two theories:
1. The first theory is based on pre-historical event that is being narrated orally in Anāl folklore. Anāls lived in cave, called ‘Khol’ in Anāl language. While they were inside the cave, a giant tiger came and lurked at the entrance to prey on whoever came out of the cave. Sensing the danger, two brave men, Hanshu and Hantha, killed the tiger. Thus, Anāls escaped from the man-eater. So, they called themselves ‘Anāl’, meaning escaped.
2. The second theory is that, Anāls, in the course of their migration from Mongolian land were captured by the Chinese ruler and used them as forced labourers in the construction work of the Great Wall of China. Fortunately they slipped out from the bo***ge of the Chinese emperor. Hence, they called their flock, “Anāl” which is mentioned in their folk songs.
Based on the above two stated theories, the ‘Anāl Tribe’ came into existence.
3. Anāl Naga Home Land
The Anāl Naga Home-Land is called KANKHU in Anāl language. It is in Chandel District, Manipur. Chandel (Chamdil) is bounded by Tamu in the east (Myanmar), Chind-hills in the south (Myanmar), Churachandpur District in the south-west (Manipur), Thoubal District in the west (Manipur), Ukhrul District in the north (Manipur). Geographically, Chandel occupies the southern-most Naga contiguous land. Topographically, it enjoys moderate mountains and hills, valleys and plains. It has 7(seven) clean perennial flowing rivers. It is the gateway to South-east Asia. The region has prospect of Waterway transport through Ningthi river, which falls into Bay of Bengal. It has rich fauna and flora, and fossil mineral deposits.
4. Matrimony in Anāl Naga Society:
The whole society of the Anāl is divided into two exogamous moieties – Musum and Muchal. Under the customary law, Marriage is possible only between these two moieties. Before the advent of Christianity, Anāls practiced marriage by servitude, means before the actual marriage, a boy had to stay in the house of his engaged girl’s parents for 3 (three) years to prove his efficiency in running a separate family. On successful completion of the period, the boy’s parents would take the girl to their home with Matrimonial obligations and ceremonies. But now, it is obsolete. However, Anāls still strictly follow marriage practice between two moieties, Musum and Muchal. Whoever violates this matrimonial practice is condemned and ostracized.
5. Cultural Festivals of Anāl:
Anāls have a rich culture. They celebrate a number of festivals in a year. Popular annual festivals are:
i. Choduw Alum (Seed Sowing Festival)
This festival falls in the month of April, Paṭe in Anāl lunar month. On this day, the parents of the family bring out the preserved seeds in the sun to be warded off malevolent spirit from the seeds by the village priest, now the Christian pastor, and be taken to the prepared Jhum-fields for sowing. A day’s festival is performed with games and folksong, and feast. Traditionally, this festival is celebrated by elderly people, but no restriction is given to young people.
ii. Chavān-Kumhrin Alum (Harvest Festival)
This festival falls in the last part of October. It is now permanently fixed on 23rd October with restricted Govt. holiday in Chandel District, Manipur. Traditionally, on this day, the first fruit of the harvest is blessed and tasted by the village priest or the oldest man/woman of the village, now pastor, with a prayer. This festival is celebrated with cultural dances, common village community feast and contemporary cultural shows and entertainments.
iii. Hnungtha-Hrin Alum (New Spring Festival)
Anāls celebrate this festival in the first part of February. This festival is a preparation to receive new season of the year.
A day before this festival, every family cleans up their homes, surroundings, village-ponds, roads and household articles, implements and tools. All the rubbish from the cleaning is taken outside the village-gate and burnt into ashes. Then, the village priest, now pastor, blesses every family and home. Then, a common joyful celebration begins with feasting to welcome the spring season.
6. Nature of Land Use and Ownership
It is a custom and tradition that every Anāl clan and household has its own land for jhuming and plain wet cultivation. If a particular hill slope is to be jhumed for a year, there is no need for dividing the land among the clans or the villagers, as each family already has its own demarcated jhume-land. But generally, the entire land of the village belongs to village community. The village forest produce are meant for all villagers. The ownership of the demarcated plot is identified when only it is to be jhumed for a year.
