A Study of the Sümi Nagas: Origin and Migration

Nagas migrated to this part of the region until the recent past because of the absence of the written record. However, the rich oral history of the forefathers handed down through the generations gives extensive insight on their existence as a distinct race. History says that the Nagas tribes migrated from Burma and are now living in Nagaland, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. History continues that some Naga tribes settled in Burma and never ventured further. According to Sema (1986: 5) these Nagas did not migrate at the same time. The present location of the Nagas tribes like the Konyak, Phoms, Changs, Sangtams, Kheimungans, Yimchungers and particularly that of the Konyaks and the Kheimungans reveals that the Nagas entered the present habitat in series succeeding one another in close succession. These tribes still inhabit the region in Burma bordering Nagaland. The tribes of Ao, Lotha, Sümi, Rengma, Angami and the Chakhesang arrived through the South – East via the East and the North of Manipur and subsequently to Khezakenoma which is said to be the significant location in the migratory route of these Naga tribes. Legends say that all these tribes are believed to have emerged from the magic blessing stone of Khezakenoma which is a border village of Chakhesang near Manipur. Legends continue that the Aos went first succeeded by the Lothas and the Sümis followed by Rengmas, the Angamis and the Chakhesang. This can be substaintiate by their present locations which even stands in their order of migration.