The Noctes

The Noctes occupy the northeastern part of Tirap district. They are medium-built with Mongoloid facial features. Villages are located on hilltops and densely clustered. They are skilled in crafts, especially bamboo and cane works, often decorated with goat hair and intricate designs.

Traditional attire consists of loincloths for men and skirts for women. Ornaments are integral, and tattooing was once common among women. Social life is divided between the chief (king) and other villagers. The principal harvest festival, Chalo Loku, held in late November, offers cultural travelers a glimpse of traditional Nocte life.

The Tutsas

The Tutsas inhabit the eastern and southern parts of Tirap district. Men wear loincloths, women wear skirts, and bead necklaces are common. They are skilled in weaving and beadwork. The Tutsa society is patriarchal, with a chieftainship system headed by the Lowang, following primogeniture. The village council, Ngoangthun, governs local affairs. The Tutsas practice jhum (shifting) cultivation. Major festivals include Pongtu Kuh and Ronghun Kun, with Pongtu being the principal harvest festival, showcasing the rich cultural traditions.

The Wanchos

The Wanchos inhabit the Patkai hills of Longding District and also in Tirap District and are ethnically related to the Nocte and Konyak Naga. The Wancho language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family. Traditionally animists, they believe in deities Rang and Baurang, though Christianity has grown among them. Tattoos are significant, especially for men, and ornaments are common among women. Their prime festival, Oriah, occurs between March and April, involving prayer, songs, dances, bamboo tube exchanges, and feasts. Houses are made of wood and bamboo, with dormitories (Murung) for boys’ training. Historically, headhunting existed but was abolished by the 1990s.