Sumi Naga
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 300,000 | |
| Languages | |
| Sumi and other Naga languages | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity; Animism | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| other Naga peoples |
The 'Sumi Naga' is one of the major Naga peoples in Nagaland, India. The Sumis mainly inhabit the Zunheboto district, although many have spread out and inhabit in almost all the other districts within Nagaland. Many go outside Nagaland for education and work.
The Sumis are one of the most united and most aggressive Naga tribes. Since time immemorial, other Nagas have feared the Sumis. Despite their ferocity and aggressive nature in warfare, the Sumis are known for their simplicity and honesty.
The Sumis practised headhunting like other Naga peoples before the arrival of the Christian missionaries and their subsequent conversion to Christianity. Anthropological study of the Sumis is documented in the book The Sema Nagas by J. H. Hutton, who was a Professor of Social Anthropology in the University of Cambridge. The Sumi is one of the recognised scheduled tribes of India.
According to the 2011 census of India, Sumi Nagas number around 300,000 in population.
The ancestral religion of the Sumis was the worship of nature. With the arrival of Baptist missionaries in the 20th century, like other Naga tribes, today, Sumis are 99.9% Christians. Very few of them still practice animism.
Sumi Nagas mostly inhabit the central and southern regions of Nagaland. Zunheboto is the district of the Sumis and they also live in districts such as Dimapur, Kohima, Wokha, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Tuensang, etc. There are also seven Sumi villages in Tinsukia District of Assam.
Sumis have two different clan-heads, viz. Swu (Sumi) and Tuku (Tukumi)The genesis of Sumi Naga tribe is also said to have it's roots of existence in the Khezakeno Village which is claimed to be the center point of Sumi history. According to sources, the Sumis (Lazami) and the Khezakeno Village have confirmed the relation between the two Village, affirming the bygones and beyond 2000. According to the two Village’s great forefathers’ version, one group of people led by a person named Khepiu had come to Kezhakeno Village from Makhel and thereupon the Naga generation began. It is not denied that every Naga tribe has its version of migration. Nevertheless, according to the two Village’s forefather’s version Khepiu had a son named Sopu, whose son was Koza, Koza’s son was Rou and Rou had three sons namely – Khrieu (Angami) the eldest, Leo (Chakhesang) the second, and the youngest Seo (Sumi). Like the two elder brother, the Sumi tribe has its origin name from Seo and at no point of time is the Sumi tribe name derived from tree or wood. .
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Wikipedia