Rengma

Rengma, also called Rengma Naga, is an ethnic group of the Naga peoples in the Indian state of Nagaland. They are concentrated mainly in the southern and central parts of Nagaland and are considered one of the larger Naga tribes.

Language and culture: The Rengma speak the Rengma language, a Sino-Tibetan language of the Naga language group, with several dialects. Most Rengma communities maintain a village-based social structure organized around kin groups and exogamous clans. Traditional life was centered on shifting cultivation (jhum) and horticulture, with villages governed by elders and customary laws. The practice of headhunting existed in some periods prior to Christianization.

History and economy: Agriculture remains central, with crops such as rice and maize; in modern times many Rengma are employed in government, education, and commerce. The people maintain rich oral traditions, weaving, music, and dance as part of cultural expression.

Religion: Since the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Christian missionary work transformed religious life. Today most Rengma are Christians, mainly Baptist denominations, with other Christian groups present and a minority adhering to traditional beliefs.

Contemporary status: Rengma communities participate in Nagaland's political and social life, with cultural associations and festivals that celebrate harvests and communal identity, alongside efforts to preserve language and customs.