The Nagas, an Indo-Asiatic people, are composed of more than 20 tribes and numerous subtribes, each occupying a distinct geographical region. While they share several cultural traits, the tribes have historically remained isolated from one another and lack a strong sense of unity as a single ethnic group. Among them, the Konyaks are the largest tribe, followed by the Aos, Tangkhuls, Semas, and Angamis. Other significant tribes include the Lothas, Sangtams, Phoms, Changs, Khiemnungams, Yimchungres, Zeliangs, Chakhesangs (Chokri), and Rengmas. Each tribe has its own language, customs, and traditions, contributing to Nagaland's rich and diverse cultural identity.
The Naga tribes lack a common language; there are about 60 spoken dialects, all belonging to the Sino-Tibetan language family. In some areas dialects vary even from village to village. Intertribal conversation generally is carried on through broken Assamese, and many Nagas speak Hindi and English. English is the official language of the state.
The traditional Naga religion is animistic, based on the belief that nature is alive with invisible forces, minor deities, and spirits, which are mediated by priests and medicine men. Though they traditionally believed in spiritual forces, many Naga tribes also had concepts of a supreme creator and an afterlife. In the 19th century, with the arrival of British rule, Christianity was introduced to the region, and Baptist missionaries became especially active in converting the Naga people. Today, about two-thirds of Nagaland's population is Christian, making it one of the most Christian-dominated states in India, while Hindus and Muslims form smaller religious communities. Traces of Hindu influence remain, particularly in Dimapur, which was once the Kachari capital before being destroyed by the Ahom kingdom in the 16th century.
Nagaland is primarily a rural state, with more than 80% of its population living in small, isolated villages. These villages are typically located on hill ridges and were historically fortified with massive wooden gates and narrow sunken paths for defense. Each village is further divided into khels (quarters), each governed by its own headmen and local administration. The only major urban centers in the state are Dimapur and Kohima, both having populations exceeding 50,000 people.