Khiamniungan Tribe: Nagaland’s Trans-Border Naga Tribe

Khiamniungan Tribe: One of Nagaland’s major trans-border Naga tribes living in Noklak, Tuensang & Myanmar; famous for cliff honey hunting, Tsokum Sumai festival & Khiamniungan language.

Table of Contents

The Khiamniungan Tribe (also written as Khiamniungan) is one of the most fascinating major Naga tribes, uniquely living across the India–Myanmar international border. In December 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted the tribe in his Mann Ki Baat radio address for their centuries-old tradition of cliff honey hunting and rich cultural heritage.

Who are the Khiamniungan Tribe?

One of the 17 major recognised Naga tribes of Nagaland
Trans-border community: Eastern Nagaland (India) + North-western Sagaing Region (Myanmar)
Primary districts in India: Noklak, Tuensang, and Shamator
Name meaning: “Khiam” (great rivers/waters) + “niungan” (people) → “People of the great waters”

Geography & Location

Khiamniungan-inhabited areas lie in the rugged eastern hills of Nagaland, bordering Myanmar. Noklak district (carved out in 2021) is the cultural and administrative heart of the tribe in India.

Language

Speak Khiamniungan (also called Khiamniungan Patsho)
Belongs to Sino-Tibetan → Tibeto-Burman → Naga sub-group
Uses Latin script; efforts ongoing for standardisation and literature development

Economy & Livelihood

Traditional: Jhum (shifting) cultivation – rice, millet, maize, vegetables
Unique practice: Cliff honey hunting using long bamboo ladders and ropes on sheer rock faces (now promoted for eco-tourism)
Emerging: Wet-rice cultivation, horticulture, and government-supported apiculture

Social Structure

Clan-based society
Village governance through hereditary chiefs or elected councils
Strong emphasis on community decision-making and customary laws

Major Festivals of Khiamniungan Tribe

Festival	Month/Period	Significance
Tsokum Sumai	Sep–early Oct	Pre-harvest festival; invoke blessings for bountiful crops
Khaotzao Sey Hok-ah Sumai	Post-harvest	Thanksgiving; marks completion of agricultural year

Both festivals feature traditional dances, feasts, and log-drum performances.

Why in News? (December 2025)

In his latest Mann Ki Baat episode, PM Modi praised the Khiamniungan tribe’s daring cliff honey-hunting tradition and their sustainable coexistence with nature. He highlighted how this ancient skill is being transformed into a source of livelihood through community-based eco-tourism in Noklak district.

Khiamniungan Tribe – Quick Facts Table (UPSC Prelims)

Feature	Details
State	Nagaland (Noklak, Tuensang, Shamator districts)
Trans-border presence	Yes – India & Myanmar
Language family	Sino-Tibetan → Tibeto-Burman
Major occupation	Jhum cultivation, cliff honey hunting
Famous festival	Tsokum Sumai
Unique tradition	Cliff honey hunting with bamboo ladders
Recent highlight	Mentioned by PM in Mann Ki Baat (2025)

Significance for UPSC & Competitive Exams

Frequently asked under Indian Tribes, North-East Culture, and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat themes
Important for Nagaland state GK and current affairs 2025–26

The Khiamniungan tribe beautifully represents the living cultural bridge between India and Myanmar while preserving ancient traditions in the modern era. With growing focus on tribal tourism and sustainable livelihoods, this brave community from Nagaland’s eastern frontier is now on the national map like never before.