Revisiting the Tribal Chieftainship Administrative System

Abstract The diverse accounts, folklore and songs that comprise the myth of Naga origin are varied and assorted, and one cannot conclude based on one fable. The genius of custom is initiated at the onset of the village settlement. The Chief of the village predominantly governed his subjects whether through democratic or meritocratic authority, and he is exceedingly respected within their socio-cultural periphery. But the dominance of the chief varied from tribe to tribe. Some have a powerful hereditary figure with dictatorial authority, whereas others have a symbolic and religious head in a more democratic framework. The patrilineal socio-cultural represents the grundnorm of the Naga’s customary practice. Beneath the patrilineal system, women are traditionally excluded from the decision-making process and have never been included in the Chieftainship within the village structure. This qualitative approach aims to portray and narrate the enduring legacy of Naga Chieftainship through telephonic interviews and partial doctrinal analysis. The aim is to contribute to the preservation of Naga culture and identity by documenting the lived experiences and oral histories that define their traditional governance.