MIGRATION AND SETTLEMENT OF TRIBES Athikho Kaisii | H. Francis Ariina | K. Kokho

In a socially and culturally diverse India, the vast potential of the North East region remains insufficiently tapped to the nation’s advantage. Owing to the lack of adequate knowledge and information about the region, it continues to pose a policy challenge for decision-makers. Against this backdrop, the present volume brings together a collection of papers contributed by scholars and writers from the region itself, seeking to weave together the missing links that have so far appeared only in fragments.
The volume primarily focuses on Makhel (Makhraifü) and its enduring legacy in the annals of Naga history, culture, and tradition as a place of dispersal. Dispersal, migration, and settlement are recurring themes in the history and identity of the Naga tribes of North East India, with Makhel lying at the heart of this shared narrative. Revered as the ancestral homeland, Makhel is regarded as the place from which numerous Naga tribes trace their origins and dispersal.
The legacy of migration is preserved not only through folktales and folksongs as part of the region’s social memory but also through tangible heritage. Monoliths, cultural artifacts, and linguistic affinities stand as enduring markers of the Makhel tradition, serving as a bridge between the past and the present for future generations. Oral traditions complement these tangible elements, safeguarding the history, culture, and identity of Naga society.
This book offers an insider’s exploration of the Makhel tradition. By engaging with the themes of dispersal, migration, tangible heritage, and oral traditions, it seeks to illuminate the profound significance of Makhel in Naga history and culture— ensuring that this rich legacy is both preserved and appreciated by generations to come.