Main Article Content
Abstract
Every tribe has its own sense of historical identity. It is notable character of tribes which reflects in oral traditions. Tradition can be described as the culturally sustained, repeated pattern of behaviour or beliefs that are passed down from one generation to another. Like any other tribals in India, the Ao-Naga tribe has their own rich cultural heritage preserved in the form of oral traditions. Ao-Naga is one of the major tribes in the state of Nagaland in northeast India. This paper tries to examine to shows how the ritual practices play an important role in sustaining cultural history of the Ao-Nagas. The rituals are significant component of Ao-Naga culture and history. These rituals are associated with festivals which are link to their day to day life and are mostly performing for the welfare of the society from birth to death that include rich harvest, for good health or general prospective and welfare, illness and epidemic or to eternalize behaviors, actions and occasions.