By Editor It is true that Nagaland is among the very few states that are known for the majority tribal population, and a lot of people visit this state for this very reason. And once you’re in Nagaland, you’ll be super impressed by their culture, and the first introduction is sure the way people traditionally dress in this state. But let’s say you don’t know much about that yet, then here’s a little introduction because we’re about to take a good look at the traditional dress of Nagaland, both for men and women.
Traditional Dress of Naga Men
![Traditional Dress of Nagaland [For Men & Women]](https://www.statesinsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Traditional-Dress-of-Nagaland-For-Men-Women.webp)
Kilts, Loincloths, and Waist Wraps
It is true that usually, Naga men used to wear kilts or loincloths in their everyday life as well as at special rituals. The black kilt adorned with cowrie shells is a very popular one. The shells are not only for decoration purposes, but they also symbolize victory in love and war. The thing that is quite remarkable is that mending the shells to one’s garment is the task which men have to do themselves; no one else is allowed to do it for them.
Another commonly seen cloth is the Risa Galao, which is a dhoti-like piece that is wrapped around the waist.
Rhikho and Moyer Tusk
Rhikho is a simple white shawl that has four black bands. It is a garment of men who are yet to achieve any great deeds or hold a feast for the community. Whereas, the Moyer Tusk is a dark blue fabric having delicate zigzag lines. It is a less elaborate but still a very culturally significant one.
Shawls
The shawl is an absolute necessity for the Naga men. How and why? Well, in fact, it is not so much used for the purpose of warming the body but more as a symbol of one’s status and accomplishments. In the majority of the tribes, the males are given permission to don a particular shawl only after they have fulfilled certain criteria, for instance, having killed a man in the old times or organizing a big community feast.
The tribal shawl is a very unique thing, as each tribe has a different design for it. As an example, the Ao tribe’s Tsungkotepsu shawl features the figures of tigers, elephants, and spears that stand for strength and bravery. The Lotha tribe has the shawls that tell the story of a man, how many feasts he has given, initially, the Phangrhup and then the Lungpensu, a dark blue shawl with five blue stripes. The same goes for Sumi men.
Headgear and Ornaments
The traditional Naga men, for the most part, adorn themselves with the headgear and accessories that are made from the feathers, boar tusks, beads, and bones of animals.
Traditional Dress of Naga Women
Skirts and the Use of Colors
A mekhala, which is a locally woven wrap-around skirt, remains the most important part of the Naga women’s dress; no two ways about the fact. Most of the time, the skirts are decorated with bright stripes and sharp geometric figures.
Just take Azu Jangup Su, for instance, it is a red and yellow vertically striped skirt that is only worn at festivals to express joy and the feeling of being united. Women of the Dimasa community wear a Rigu that is lengthy and has elegant designs near the border.
Blouses and Upper Garments
The blouse, which is worn with the mekhala, can be a simple one or a little decorated one too. On celebratory occasions or in formal gatherings, they might put on a shawl or wrap as an additional grace and to keep warm.
Mechala, Neikhro, and Moyer Tusk
The Mechela is an adornment that can either be coiled around the waist or draped over the shoulder. It is a necessary component of the outfit that somehow levels up the appeal of the whole. Neikhro is the term for the innermost layer that looks like a petticoat, and ladies wear it under the skirt so that it becomes more voluminous and gets a nice fit.
The Moyer Tusk is additionally a feminine outfit, a navy blue fabric that has minimalist zigzag patterns.
Jewelry and Accessories
Naga women heavily rely on jewelry as one of their major pieces of clothing, no doubts! Like, various types of necklaces made of beads, shells, bones, and stones quite commonly abound. Among the Konyak tribe, it is a practice to go in for such heavy stone necklaces that indicate one’s social position, while the Ao women opt for wearing light, highly detailed beadwork.