Introduction

Music of Nagaland is deeply intertwined with its tribal heritage, and its indigenous musical instruments reflect both the region’s natural resources and the unique cultural identity of its people. Across the state, music is not just a form of entertainment, it’s a way of storytelling, ritual expression, and social bonding, carried through generations.

What truly sets Naga musical instruments apart is the tribal specificity, each of Nagaland’s 17 major tribes has their own set of instruments, shaped by distinct customs, craftsmanship, and the natural materials found in their territories. This rich diversity contributes to a broader, multifaceted musical culture that is both regionally grounded and profoundly expressive.

String Instruments of Nagaland

Among the many musical instruments rooted in Naga folk traditions, string instruments hold a prominent place. The Tati, a single-stringed fiddle, is a favorite among the Chakhesang and Angami tribes, producing soulful melodies that often accompany traditional songs and dances. Another notable string instrument is the Theku, crafted using locally available materials, and often played during community gatherings and festivals.

Tati - The Tati is a traditional single-stringed instrument from Nagaland that holds a cherished place in the musical heritage of the Angami Nagas and Chakhesang tribes. Simple in design yet rich in cultural significance, the Tati has been a faithful companion to Naga folk songs for generations.

This string instrument is made of a dried caved-out Bottle Gourd covered with thin film and attached to one end of a pole. A string is tied between the two ends of the pole. When plucked, the string's vibrations travel through the pole and gourd, resonating through the membrane to produce a clear, rhythmic tone.

Though minimalist in construction, the Tati plays a vital role in traditional performances. Its sound, both melodic and percussive, serves as a guide for singers, anchoring their vocals in rhythm and tone. It is most often used to accompany folk songs that express themes of love, nature, daily life, and ancestral wisdom. The art of playing and making the Tati is traditionally passed down through families, with each generation learning not only the music but the stories and customs embedded in every tune.

Nrah - The Nrah, also known as the cup violin or harp, is a traditional string instrument cherished by the Ruangmei community and Ao tribes of Nagaland. Classified as a chordophone, this unique instrument stands out not only for its craftsmanship but also for the poignant, soulful tones it produces, tones that speak of love, longing, and loss.

At the heart of the Nrah's construction is a hollowed coconut shell, carefully cleaned and halved to form its resonating body. This shell is then covered with animal hide, often buffalo skin, creating a natural soundboard. Its strings are crafted from horse tail hair. Unlike other string instruments that are plucked, the Nrah is bowed to evoke its distinct, emotional timbre.

Traditionally, the Nrah accompanied vocal performances, lending a haunting, peaceful backdrop to songs about romantic yearning, remembrance, and grief. It was often played during serenades or solemn community events, where its melancholic tones could capture the depth of human emotion. Today, however, the Nrah faces the risk of fading into obscurity. With modern influences reshaping musical preferences and practices, this once-revered instrument is now rarely heard in community gatherings.

Petu – The Petu is a traditional stringed instrument from Nagaland, cherished especially by the Angami and Chakhesang tribes. Known for its warm, resonant sound, the Petu has long been a staple in the musical traditions of these communities, often used to accompany vocal performances during festivals, rituals, and other cultural celebrations. 

Handcrafted from locally sourced materials like wood and bamboo, the Petu reflects the Naga people's deep connection to their natural environment. Its design may be modest, but the craftsmanship carries generations of knowledge and artistic skill. The instrument produces a distinctive tone that complements the rhythms and melodies of Naga folk songs, adding emotional depth and texture to the music.

Theku - The Theku is a traditional single-stringed fiddle from Nagaland, deeply embedded in the folk music traditions of tribes like the Chakhesang and Angami Nagas. Belonging to the family of string instruments, the Theku is known for its distinct, resonant tone that enhances the melodic flow of traditional songs and storytelling.

Handcrafted from natural materials such as wood and bamboo, the Theku reflects the resourcefulness and artistic heritage of the Naga people. Played with a bow, its single string produces a soulful, haunting sound that often accompanies folk songs during cultural gatherings, festivals, and ceremonial occasions.

Interestingly, the use of the Theku has also been influenced by traditional gender norms within certain tribes. In some communities, playing the Theku is reserved for boys, while girls are traditionally discouraged from using it, based on the belief that their music might distract or enchant young men. While these customs reflect older cultural values, they also highlight the instrument’s deep emotional and symbolic resonance in Naga society.

Mrabung - The Mrabung is a traditional single-stringed instrument belonging to the Zeliang Naga community of Nagaland. Rooted in the rich cultural fabric of the tribe, this indigenous instrument is known for its hauntingly expressive sound and simple yet skillful construction.

Crafted with a cured bottle gourd that serves as its resonating chamber, the Mrabung features a smooth, fretless wooden neck about 12 inches long. Its design is both functional and symbolic, reflecting the resourcefulness of the Zeliang people who use locally available natural materials to build instruments that carry their musical heritage.

The Mrabung is played with a bow made from tightly bound horsehair, attached to both ends of a slender wooden stick. Like a violin, the bow is drawn across the single string to produce sound, while the fingers of the opposite hand press the string along the neck to create varying pitches and tones. This technique allows for a flowing, legato style that mirrors the lyrical quality of traditional Naga songs.

Traditionally, the Mrabung is played during social gatherings, festivals, and communal celebrations, occasions where music brings men and women together in joyful expression. Its mellow, melodious tone adds warmth to festive atmospheres, making it a vital part of Zeliang cultural identity.

Percussion Instruments of Nagaland

Percussion also plays a vital role in the musical heritage of Nagaland. The Asem, a drum made by stretching animal skin over carved wooden frames, creates rhythmic beats that set the tone for ceremonial and festive occasions. Another unique instrument is the Jemji, fashioned from the horn of a mithun (a semi-domesticated bovine native to the region), which is used as a wind instrument to produce deep, resonant tones.

Asem - The Asem is a traditional percussion instrument from Nagaland, widely recognized as a log drum or Pate. Used by various Naga tribes, the Asem holds a central place in the state’s musical and cultural identity. Carved from a single, hollowed-out log and covered with stretched animal skin, the instrument produces deep, resonant beats that are as symbolic as they are musical.

In the context of Naga folk traditions, the Asem serves as a powerful medium of communication and community expression. Its long, deliberate beats may signal gatherings or important announcements, while its faster rhythms provide the heartbeat for dances and celebratory rituals during festivals. Whether echoing across a hillside village or anchoring a dance at the renowned Hornbill Festival, the Asem’s presence is unmistakable.

Crafted with care from locally sourced wood, the drum’s design often features intricately carved steps or ridges, enhancing both its acoustic properties and its visual appeal. The drumhead, typically made from animal hide, is stretched tightly to produce a rich, thumping sound that resonates through open spaces—capturing the energy and spirit of the people. Traditionally played in groups, especially by men during ceremonial occasions, the Asem is accompanied by other indigenous instruments like the Jemji, Tati and Theku. Together, these instruments form the musical backbone of Naga folk performances.

Drums or Dholak - Across India, the dholak, a hand-played drum, is a rhythmic staple in festivals, weddings, and joyous gatherings. In Nagaland, this beloved percussion instrument takes on diverse, localized forms, shaped by the traditions, craftsmanship, and musical sensibilities of each tribe. Though inspired by the pan-Indian dholak, the drums of Nagaland carry a distinct tribal identity, reflecting the region’s rich cultural diversity.

Crafted with a wooden shell and tightly laced with cotton cords or leather strips, these drums feature drumheads made from locally sourced materials, often animal hide. Each version of the drum is tailored to the tribe’s musical style and practical needs, resulting in a fascinating variety of shapes, sizes, and sounds.

Among the Garos, the drum is long and slender, narrowing at both ends, designed for portability and sharp, resonant beats. The Mech Kacharis favor a shorter, wider drum that delivers deep, bass-rich rhythms. Meanwhile, the Ao tribe of Nagaland uses their own version of the hand drum, blending traditional structure with community-specific aesthetics and sound preferences.

Used in everything from folk dances to ceremonial songs, these drums are central to communal life in Nagaland. They accompany traditional instruments like flutes, fiddles, and horns, adding a powerful percussive layer to musical performances.

Nkhuangh - The Nkhuangh is a traditional drum of the Ruangmei community in Nagaland, revered for its deep, resonant tones and its vital role in folk music and ceremonial performances. As a membranophone, the Nkhuangh produces sound through the vibration of a stretched membrane, typically made from buffalo hide, offering a rich bass rhythm that anchors traditional songs and dances.

Played with a drumstick, the Nkhuangh usually follows a steady 4/4 beat, creating a rhythmic foundation that guides accompanying vocals, chants, or dances. Historically, the Nkhuangh has been central to Ruangmei festivals, where its beats accompany traditional dances and folk songs celebrating community, nature, and ancestral heritage. It is commonly used during music ceremonies, church events, and Christmas celebrations.

Syanmiw - The Syanmiw, also known as the nipple gong, is a lesser-known but culturally significant traditional musical instrument from Nagaland. Characterized by its raised central boss, this metallic gong produces varied tones depending on where and how it is struck, offering both rhythmic and melodic textures in folk performances.

Though not as prominent as the Tati or log drum, the Syanmiw holds ceremonial value, often used during processions and festive gatherings. A cracked Syanmiw may even carry its own story, believed to have fallen from a suspended height during a ritual or celebration. While subtle in presence, this gong adds depth and resonance to the history of Naga folk music.

Syamtuaic - The Syamtuaic, a traditional percussive instrument of the Ruangmei Naga community, holds a distinctive place in their musical heritage. Often recognized as a form of clash cymbals, the Syamtuaic falls under the category of idiophones, musical instruments that produce sound through the vibration of their own material, without needing strings or membranes.

Comprising a pair of matching metal discs, the Syamtuaic is played by striking both cymbals together with the hands. This simple yet dynamic motion produces a sharp, resonant sound that cuts through the air with celebratory energy. Its vibrant clash brings life to folk songs and ceremonies, especially during communal festivities, dances, and traditional gatherings.

Interestingly, the Syamtuaic is believed to have been introduced to Ruangmei musical traditions through cultural exchange, particularly under the influence of the neighboring Kuki people. Over time, it became an integral part of Ruangmei folk performances, adding a bright, metallic accent to the rhythmic ensemble.

Wind Instruments of Nagaland

Nagaland’s indigenous music is further enriched by a variety of handmade wind instruments crafted from bamboo and other natural elements. Bamboo mouth organs, flutes, and trumpets are common across tribes, each with its own construction technique and purpose. The use of cup violins, drums made from cattle hide, and large log drums, often housed in morungs (youth dormitories), demonstrates the integral role of music in daily tribal life.

Jemji - The Jemji is a traditional wind instrument of Nagaland, distinguished by its bold, sonorous tone and unique construction. Made from the horn of a Mithun, a revered semi-domesticated bovine native to the region, the Jemji stands as both a musical and cultural symbol among the Naga tribes.

Crafting the Jemji requires skill and respect for tradition. The natural curve of the mithun’s horn is hollowed and shaped into a wind instrument capable of producing deep, echoing notes that can carry across long distances. Its sound is often described as powerful and haunting, making it an ideal accompaniment for ceremonies, gatherings, and storytelling sessions.

In traditional performances, the Jemji is typically played alongside other indigenous instruments such as the Tati, the Theku, and the Asem. Together, these instruments create a rich, layered soundscape that forms the heart of Naga folk music.

Malen – The Malen is a delicate and distinct traditional wind instrument from Nagaland, cherished by the Ao tribe for its simplicity and seasonal significance. Unlike the more commonly known bamboo flute, the Malen is crafted from the stump of a paddy plant, making it both unique in form and deeply connected to the rhythms of agricultural life.

Small in size, just about four to five inches long and as slender as a lead pencil, the Malen is easy to make and play. It is typically crafted during the harvest season, a time of celebration and gratitude, further embedding it into the cultural practices of the Ao people. Its creation from the remnants of the paddy plant also symbolizes a resourceful and respectful relationship with nature.

Though modest in appearance, the Malen produces a soft, melodic sound that carries the joyful spirit of harvest time. Often played in informal settings or as part of seasonal festivities, it provides a gentle musical backdrop to songs, storytelling, and communal gatherings.

Atutu - The Atutu is a traditional bamboo trumpet crafted and used by the Pochury tribe of Meluri in Nagaland. Made from a specific variety of bamboo, this unique wind instrument is a reflection of the tribe’s craftsmanship and cultural wisdom. Each Atutu is carefully assembled from multiple components, all carved and fitted by hand to form a long, resonant trumpet.

The Atutu holds deep cultural and ceremonial value. One of its most symbolic uses is during the Nazhu festival, an important celebration for the Pochury people. Towards the end of February, the Atutu is blown to mark the arrival of the festival, its powerful sound echoing across the village as a call to gather, rejoice, and uphold tradition. Throughout the festival, male members of the community continue to play the trumpet in their morungs (youth dormitories), adding a musical rhythm to the evening atmosphere.

Beyond its ceremonial role, the Atutu has long served practical purposes in village life. Its loud, far-reaching sound was traditionally used to scare off birds and wild animals from rice fields, protecting crops from damage. Herd’s men also used it to scare away wild animals from the cattle. In older times, the Atutu also served as a communication tool, its blast signaling danger, announcing enemy movement, or even declaring war. It was, in many ways, the village’s voice of urgency and celebration alike.

Bamhum - The Bamhum is a modern yet deeply rooted musical innovation from Nagaland, a wind instrument like no other, created by musician and cultural visionary Moa Subong. Crafted from bamboo and played by humming instead of blowing, the Bamhum redefines accessibility in music, allowing even beginners to create melodious sounds with ease.

What sets the Bamhum apart is its simplicity. Unlike conventional wind instruments, it doesn't require breath control or formal training. Instead, the player hums into a specially designed hole at one end of a hollow bamboo tube. A natural node is preserved within the bamboo, where the vibrations are processed, and a rattle at the opposite end amplifies the sound—producing a distinctive, earthy tone. The pitch and rhythm are entirely controlled by the player’s voice, making it a highly expressive and personal instrument.

The bamboo used in the Bamhum is the strong, durable kind typically reserved for fencing, ensuring both longevity and acoustic richness. Its organic structure and handcrafted design reflect a deep connection to nature and indigenous tradition—values central to Naga culture.

Moa Subong’s creation was not only a musical breakthrough but also a cultural milestone. For his ingenuity, he was honored with the National Award for Grassroots Innovation, recognizing the Bamhum as a tool of creative empowerment. The instrument became a signature element in the sound of Abiogenesis, the genre-blending band led by Moa and his wife, Arenla Subong. Through their music, the Bamhum has helped introduce Naga folk fusion to a global audience, carving a niche for Northeast Indian sounds in the world music scene.

Alim - The Alim is a traditional bamboo flute cherished by the Ruangmei community of Nagaland. As an aerophone, the Alim produces music through the vibration of air, creating a soft, poetic resonance that has long been a part of the tribe’s musical identity. With its mellow tones and calming presence, the Alim has become a companion of solitude and reflection.

Handcrafted from a carefully chosen bamboo stick, the Alim typically features four to six finger holes. When the player blows through the blowhole and alternately covers and uncovers the holes, the flute releases airy, melodic notes that flow with grace and subtlety. The sound of the Alim captures the natural beauty of Naga life, its rhythms echoing the wind through bamboo groves, its tones mirroring the emotional depth of Naga folklore and traditions. Though simple in design, the Alim requires a sensitive touch and breath control, turning every tune into a deeply personal expression.

Jingkieng Bung - The Jingkieng Bung, also known as Jingkieng Ksiar, is a traditional bamboo mouth organ from Nagaland, cherished for its soft, soothing tones and cultural significance. Crafted entirely from bamboo, this wind instrument reflects the Naga tribe's deep-rooted connection to nature, music, and indigenous craftsmanship.

Measuring approximately six and a half inches in length, the Jingkieng Bung consists of several bamboo pipes of varying sizes. Each pipe is carefully cut to produce a distinct note, and when played together, they create a gentle, harmonious melody. Often called the “midnight musical instrument,” it is known for its calming, almost dreamlike sound, ideal for quiet evenings and reflective moments. It is played mostly inside the dormitory Zuki; where young girls sleep. This mouth organ is also called the "Midnight Musical Instrument".

What sets the Jingkieng Bung apart is its simplicity. Both in construction and playability, it requires no formal training, making it accessible to musicians of all skill levels. Yet, despite its modest design, it delivers a rich emotional depth, capturing the soul of Naga folk music.

Kong-ali - The Kong-ali is a traditional mouth harp from Nagaland, known for its distinctive twang and expressive tone. This simple yet captivating instrument holds a special place in the musical heritage of the Naga tribes, often used as a tool for personal expression and artistic performance.

Typically crafted from bamboo or metal, the Kong-ali is small and portable but powerful in sound. To play it, the musician holds the frame against the mouth and gently plucks the reed. The mouth acts as a resonating chamber, allowing the player to modulate pitch and tone with subtle movements of the lips and breath. Despite its minimalist structure, the Kong-ali is capable of producing a wide range of melodic effects, from soft murmurs to rhythmic pulses.

From village festivals to sacred rituals, the traditional instruments of Nagaland continue to echo the stories, beliefs, and spirit of its people, an enduring testament to the cultural depth of this northeastern Indian state.