The agrarian Ao and Sümi Naga communities in Nagaland have a long-standing tradition of preserving seeds from fruitful harvests for successive sowing cycles. These practices are an integral aspect of their agricultural livelihood. These communities engage in ‘jhum’ or shifting cultivation, a farming technique that has been passed down through numerous generations.
Understanding Seed Preservation
Seed preservation is a deliberate process of retaining seeds from plants for future utilization. This practice plays a vital role in maintaining biodiversity, preserving plant species, and upholding agricultural productivity. The process comprises three crucial components: collection, storage, and maintenance of seeds under specific conditions that guarantee their capability to germinate when sown.
An Insight into Nagaland’s Ao and Sümi Naga Communities
The Ao and Sümi Naga communities hail from Nagaland, each having their distinct characteristics and cultural practices.
The Ao Naga tribe primarily inhabits the Mokokchung district of Nagaland, spanning from Tsüla (Dikhu) Valley to Tsürang (Disai) Valley. Among the Naga tribes, the Ao Nagas, believed to have originated from Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar, are recognized as descendents of Mongoloid ancestry. Two racial groups, Mongsen and Chongli, form distinct segments within the Ao tribe. The Aos were the foremost Nagas to adopt Christianity and Western education.
The Sümi Naga community is another indigenous group from Nagaland, renowned for their unique cultural customs and robust agricultural legacy. They commemorate various festivals such as Tuluni, Ahuna, and Tsükhenye, typically associated with agricultural cycles and distinguished by traditional dances, songs, and feasts. The Sümi Naga, like several other Naga tribes, traditionally practiced jhum or shifting cultivation, growing crops like rice, millet, beans, lentils, pepper, and tobacco.
Defining Shifting Cultivation
Locally referred to as ‘Jhum’, shifting cultivation is a predominant system of crop cultivation among Northeast India’s indigenous communities. This practice, also termed slash-and-burn agriculture, involves farmers clearing land by cutting vegetation and burning forests and woodlands to generate clear land for farming. It presents a swift and straightforward way of preparing the land for agriculture. The burning of waste materials supplies necessary nutrients for the cultivation while simultaneously removing unwanted plants like bushes and weeds.
Shifting cultivation not only provides food, fodder, and fuel for the family but also forms a fundamental part of their identity and livelihood. However, it has its drawbacks. The continuous cutting of trees and forests can lead to soil erosion and potentially alter the course of rivers. Despite these environmental issues, shifting cultivation remains an essential aspect of the agricultural practices of the Ao and Sümi Naga communities.
