Kuki is the major tribes inhabiting in
Kohima District of
Nagaland. They prefer to live on hill tops and their villages are a cluster of closely constructed houses.
Kukis cultivate dwarf cotton and spun yarns for their own use. Using vegetable dyes in a myriad of hues they weave intricate designs mostly geometric in nature.
Kuki men embellish themselves with a colourful Sangkhol, a jacket and a ‘Pheichawm’ (short dhoti) and wrap a Chaddar which is sometimes decorated similar to a snake skin. They are usually seen in a Tuhpah (head dresses).
Kuki women usually wear a nih-san (red slip) underneath a pon've (a wrap around) which was worn from above the chest. They embellish themselves with ornaments including earrings, bracelets and bangles, necklace and occasionally a type of ring shaped earring to stretch the ear lobe.
Both men and women of this tribe enjoy smoking from their extensively crafted pipes. The pipes which are made from stones and brass-metal is called ‘Sumeng golong’, and made only from brass-metal is known as ‘Sum thin golong’ and the one which is craved out of wood with a brass spout is called ‘Gojung golong’.
Marriage among Kukis is monogamous; they prefer cross-cousin marriage.
Mimkuut Festival, which falls in the month of January, is the major festival celebrated by Kukis.
