Naga

At Risk of Becoming Stateless

The Naga people cannot be classified as stateless due to their lack of a pathway to citizenship. However, they are indigenous to the northeastern part of India and the northwestern part of Myanmar, sharing rich cultural traditions. The Naga community constitutes the majority of the population in Nagaland, an Indian State, and the Naga Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar. While the Naga are considered citizens of both regions they inhabit, an ongoing ethnic conflict has plagued the area since 1958. According to the Naga, each village represents a separate republic, and they vehemently oppose external governance on their ancestral lands. As early as 1929, the Naga expressed their demand not to be included in the plans for organizing the Indian State. In 1947, upon India’s independence from British rule, the Naga declared their non-participation in the newly formed nation. Despite their desire for autonomy being overlooked, the current influx of Myanmar refugees into the Nagaland region has further highlighted their assertions of their citizenship.

The portrait portrays a Naga woman dressed in traditional attire, with the mantle being the centerpiece. The shawl, depicted in black with vibrant red stripes, is handwoven and holds great significance as it denotes the wearer's tribal affiliation or notable achievements. Adorning her neck is the traditional Chakhesang Naga Necklace characterized by a blend of white, red, black, and yellow elements. The Naga woman also wears a distinctive headdress and complementary earrings. The backdrop showcases the Naga hills in colors inspired by their unofficial flag, symbolizing their cultural identity. Notably, the painting on the right side features a sacred wild pear tree found in Manipur, believed to be the migration origin of Naga tribes from China. Legend has it that the last Naga tribe to settle in the region planted this tree, and since then, it has remained untouched and revered with strict prohibitions against cutting or breaking its branches.