www.indebo.com
THE NAGA NEW YEAR
discovering the secret lives of the Naga tribe through a festival
Trip starting
from $ 3200 per
person
(**inclusive of
everything)
Highlights of the trip
• Introduction to the
history of Imphal
• explore the sites of
world war I
• Enjoy the delectable
cuisines and
participate in the
festivities of “Kiang Bi”.
• Explore the daily lives
of Naga people
• Discover the traditional
Naga ceremonial pole
• Explore the opening
ceremony of the Naga
new year festival
• Visit the hill tribes in
Lahe
• Cruise on the
Chindwin river
• Stay overnight on the
country boat
©indebo india
The Nagas still retains the aura of mystery to many.
Segregated to the remotest frontiers of northwest
Myanmar and northeast India,the origin of the tribe is
shrouded into intriguing and endless tales of their legends.
Is the word “Head-Hunters” ringing a bell?
The curious case of knowing them is borne to their
features’ resemblance of the Himalayas, Burmese, Japanese,
Thai, Malaysian, Filipino, Polynesian, Indonesian and
Melanesian races. Unique alike the other indigenous races
across the world,the Nagas too exhibits an intricate fusion
of Sui generic customs that form their societies.
These societies are again divided into many sub-tribes, for
instance, the Naga tribe in Nagaland, India are divided into
sixteen different sub-tribes. This division is part of the
essential hierarchical arrangement of the Nagas which is
governed by the head of the village. Though the advent of
Christianity has taken roots but the major sections of the
Naga creed is deeply attached to their traditional customs.
Thus, conventional celebrations happen throughout the
year, but it is the “Kaing Bi” festival that is the
ceremonious re-union of the Nagas.
1
www.indebo.com
The “Kaing Bi” is held annually on 15th and 16th January
where the community exchanges, promotes, preserve and
celebrate their inherent legacy. The festivity takes place in
Lahe, where the tribals set a V shaped arena under which
the the head-priests sacrifices of chickens, alcohol,
cereals,viz as offerings to the Almighty. Then, with obvious
merry-making with music, dance and delicacies.
The Naga People
During the festivities you will be served with Khaung Yay
(an intoxicating brew) and grilled Nok (oxen) in the
morning. Shwe Lan Bo,the famous naga chilli is the main
ingredient of their menu. The platter is a combo of rice
steamed wrapped in banana leaf and roasted, boiled
versions of red-meat.
Part of a giant
conglomeration of creeds,
the Naga tribe inhibits the
North Eastern part of India
and the North Western part
Myanmar. Infamously
known as the “HeadHunters”, the modern day
Naga creed has developed
into a bigger, civilized race
of educated and rich
community.
Being part of confined
society do not refrain the
Nagas from being one of
the most liberal societies in
the world. Stout and strong
build, the Naga still practise
jhoom cultivation for
sustenance and survival.
The Nagas speak in distinct
Tibeto-Myanmarn language
sincluding Poumai (Poula),
Lotha, Sangtam, Ao,
Aagami, Mao (Emela), Inpui,
Rongmei to name a few.
©indebo india
2
www.indebo.com
Day Wise Itinerary
Day 01 : beginning of the trip
Board your international flight to Kolkata
Day 02: In and out from Kolkata
Arrive in Kolkata and transfer to airport
hotel. After wash-and-change you will be
transferred to the airport terminal for your
internal flight (6E-362) to Imphal. After
arriving at Imphal in the afternoon, you will
visit the War Cemetery and the magnificent
Kangla Fort. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Day 03: road to Burma
After breakfast, start your expedition to the
Naga area of Myanmar. Leave for Moreh
which lies at the Indo-Myanmar border and
cross over to Tamu - the border town of
Myanmar - after completing the immigration
formalities. You will then drive to Phaungbyin,
a town in Sagaing Division in Myanmar.
On arrival in Phaungbyin board, an exclusive
boat will take you to Homalin.
Day 04: along the river
After having the breakfast, you will continue
with the cruise on Chindwin river - a main
tributary of the Irrawaddy River in the North
of Myanmar - to Hthamanthi. En-route you
wil l explore some of the vil la ges and
understand the life along the river and the
socio-economic status of the rural areas of
western Myanmar. You will spend the night at
Hthamanthi.
Day 05: getting closer to the festival
drive to Lahe - venue of the Naga New Year
Festival.
Day 06: the Naga new year
Today you will participate in the celebration
of the Naga new year. The Naga traditional
New Year festival is held annually in January.
On this day, the Naga people from different
parts of their region gather at one place to
celebrate this important festival. Joining in
the opening ceremony, you can try traditional
foods and rice wine with Naga community
elders. You can also join them in the
traditional music and dance performance.
Through the dance and music they pray to
god for good health, wealth, happiness, good
climate and good yield from the crops.
Day 07: in the festive mood
You will have one more day to spend in the
fair and today you will get to understand the
life of the Nagas through their cuisines. In the
evening, you will join the Nagas as they dance
around the flames of the bonfire welcome the
Naga new year.
Day 08: trekking to happiness
Today, you will trek to a nearby villages of
Lahe to observe the daily life of Naga people.
For them, tattooing and dormitories plays a
major role in their traditional culture. After
lunch you will leave for Khamti.
In the evening, you can either relax in the
hotel or explore the local markets in Khamti.
Day 09: end of a memorable journey
With the morning flight to Mandalay followed
by your connecting international flight, your
trip will come to an end.
Today you will sail to Khamti, which means a
land full of gold. After having lunch in a local
restaurant you will hop-on an open truck and
©indebo india
3
www.indebo.com
While Travelling in Myanmar
As Myanmar opens up, sanctions lift and life there rapidly
changes, more travellers are venturing into this alluring
country. Because changes happen so quickly, it is difficult to
find up-to-date information on what to expect when
visiting the country. Here is a brief run-down on things to
keep in mind while travelling in the land of Pagodas. These
suggestions are in addition to the zillion other suggestions
from various travel guides and blogging sites:
Myanmar is safe and easy to navigate compared to many
The Naga Food
other Southeast Asian countries. Helpful and friendly
locals makes the stay even more comforting.
The Nagas are an avid
meat-lovers! Fermented,
dried, smoked or boiled,
the Naga food is an
amazing blend of local
herbs, salt and meat. The
use of ghost chilli (the
hottest chilli in the world)
and fermented shoot of the
bamboo barks if very
evident in the preparation
of a Naga cuisines.
The people prefer to boil
the edible organic leaves,
hand plucked from the
forests. Also, if you are in a
Naga village, you will be
served with Khaung Yay or
Apung-an intoxicating brew
made from fermented rice.
This drink is a sign of
welcoming you and a
symbol of respect.
Train travel in Myanmar is notoriously unpredictable
thus buses are a better and a cheaper option. If you’re
planning to book a cab, even better!
The government has built a series of new highways
between the major tourist destinations. There are
riverboats that ply the Ayeyarwady (Irawady) in the onset
of monsoon when the waters are calm.
Make a priority in your bucket list. For example, the
visit to Shwedagon paya, one of Buddhism's most sacred
sites. This is a mesmerising abode of tranquility.
Do not miss a visit to Bogyoke Aung San Market in
Myanmar. Known for its colonial architecture, the place is
famous as the black market for exchange currency.
In context of your taste buds, try
Mohinga! The
signature dish of Myanmar is a fish soup made out of rice
noodles. Another delectable suggestion is Kyay oh.
Pronounced "Jay Oh”, it is a popular dish among the young
people of Myanmar.
You can plan a dine and wine session at the Red
Mountain Winery.
Spend an hour or two drinking wine in a pretty patio
©indebo india
4
www.indebo.com
overlooking the surrounding countryside or enjoy the
sunset.
In Mandalay, Rainforest cafe is subtle but fantastic.
In Bagan the Black Bamboo is casual yet delicious.
Yangon Monsoon is posh and excel lent (make a
reser vation), and Traders Upstairs bar is great for
comfortable hanging out and a must visit.
The Naga Shawl
Also, the Shan yoe yar restaurant in yangon is a hub for
the lovers of Burmese food.
The most prominent part of
a Naga attire is the shawl
which is the symbol of
status. An interesting fact
about the shawl is that the
prints are woven in
accordance to the
occupation of the
individual. The one who has
performed in the Feast of
Merit has a shawl of bright
color with intricate designs
which is very distinct from
that of a shawl of a Naga
commoner.
Angami is a casual dress for
women comprising of a
sleeveless top known as
vatchi, a petticoat known as
neikhro and a white skirt
known as pfemhou. There is
another tribe in which
people wear costumes just
like Angami called as Zeliangs-rong.
©indebo india
Myanmar is emerging from decades of isolation, and as
such it feels a bit more conservative than nearby countries.
Many men and women still wear longgyis, for example, a
sarong-type garment. You rarely see anyone expose their
knees or shoulders, and you will make everyone more
comfortable if you do the same.
Though people are more free when discussing politics,
some guardedness remains; do not instigate political
conversations.
Money is handed over and received with the right hand,
while the left hand loosely supports the right arm.
Never use your feet to point at a person or thing.
5