The Lhota Nagas

A careful, three‑year immersion in the remote hills of Assam yields one of the few comprehensive portraits of the Lhota Nagas, a tribe long kept at arm’s length by outsiders. Drawing on personal friendships and a trove of photographs, the author records everyday life—from the striking ceremonial dress and ornate weaponry to the humble architecture of their morungs and homes.

The monograph delves into the tribe’s rituals, weaving, fishing, and oral folklore, while also tracing the pressures of external influences such as missionary Christianity and neighboring Hindu customs. Detailed notes on language, ceremonial stone‑dragging, and the roles of elders and medicine men bring the community’s worldview into sharp focus.

Listeners will be transported to the mist‑shrouded valleys, hearing the rhythm of Lhota songs and the clatter of traditional tools, gaining a rare glimpse of a culture on the brink of change, preserved through meticulous observation and genuine respect.