Logo
International Journal of
Social Science and Humanities
Header

Search

ARCHIVES
2026 ISSUES
2025 ISSUES
2024 ISSUES
2023 ISSUES
2022 ISSUES
2021 ISSUES
2020 ISSUES
2019 ISSUES
VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
The polity of Naga indigeneity and identity: Historical, political and anthropological perspectives
Authors
Inato Y Shikhu
Abstract
The discourse on Naga indigeneity and identity occupies a central position in the historical and political narratives of Northeast India. The Nagas, inhabiting the mountainous regions of present-day Nagaland and adjoining areas of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and north-western Myanmar, historically maintained autonomous socio-political institutions and cultural traditions. Prior to colonial intervention in the nineteenth century, Naga societies were organised around village republics characterised by communal land ownership, clan-based social organisation, and participatory governance. The expansion of British colonial rule and missionary activity significantly transformed these indigenous institutions and reconfigured the political and cultural landscape of the Naga homeland. Subsequent integration into the Indian Union further complicated the articulation of Naga identity and aspirations for self-determination. This article examines the polity of Naga indigeneity by integrating political and anthropological perspectives. Drawing on the works of scholars such as Sanjoy Hazarika, Dolly Kikon, Arkotong Longkumer, Abraham Lotha, B. Datta-Ray, and Temsula Ao, the study analyses the historical evolution of Naga socio-political institutions, colonial transformations, and contemporary debates surrounding indigenous identity. The paper argues that Naga identity is not merely a political construct but a deeply embedded cultural system shaped by kinship networks, land relations, oral traditions, and indigenous governance structures. Understanding these anthropological foundations is crucial for interpreting the ongoing political discourse surrounding Naga indigeneity and identity.
Download
Pages:234-238
How to cite this article:
Inato Y Shikhu "The polity of Naga indigeneity and identity: Historical, political and anthropological perspectives". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 234-238
Download Author Certificate

Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.