Exploring mortuary beliefs and traditions: The burial practices of Nagas in highland Northeast India

Death had been central to Naga society, and such practices formed a significant part of their worldview. The Nagas incorporate materials from their environment into their funerary culture, which has evolved over time. With the coming of Christianity and, along with it, Western education, there had been several documentations on the socio-cultural life of the Nagas by both early ethnographers and indigenous scholars. However, independent studies on death and its aspects have been rare. This paper aims to provide an overview of mortuary variations, nature, material aspects, and their relationship with society and individuals among the Nagas. It will also explore changes in mortuary patterns and their adaptability to new waves of change. The paper would incorporate data collected from the various literary works on the Nagas by both colonial ethnographers and indigenous writers, along with data collected from personal fieldwork and interviews conducted.