Abstract:

This comprehensive study was conducted with the primary objective of uncovering and documenting the Indigenous Agricultural Practices (IAPs) prevalent among the Sumi– Naga tribal community in the Nagaland. By utilizing a combination of fieldwork and interviews with key community members, the research delved into the rich tapestry of agricultural knowledge, traditional beliefs, and cultural customs that shape the Sumi people's approach to farming. At the heart of the Sumi agricultural practices lies the dominant tradition of Jhum cultivation, a time-honoured method characterized by crop rotation and governed by deeply ingrained indigenous beliefs and rituals. This practice sustains a delicate balance between the human community and the natural world, reflecting an intricate interplay of ecological wisdom and cultural heritage. The study catalogued 21 indigenous agricultural implements that play a pivotal role in shaping the Sumi people's connection with the land. These implements, steeped in generations of accumulated knowledge, serve as tangible symbols of a profound
symbiosis between the Sumi and their environment.