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The Nocte which literally means village people, is a tribe found in the Patkoi Hills of Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh. Ethnically related to the Konyak Naga, their origins can be traced back to the Hukong Valley in Myanmar, where they migrated from between the 1670 and 1700. They have chiefs who exert control over the village, and they are also consulted by the village elders and priests on all important socio-religious ceremonies.
Initially Theravada Buddhist, the Nocte are largely loyal followers of Vaishnavaite Hinduism. Strong Animistic and Buddhist influences can be seen as well. For example, Jauban, the god believed who created all beings, is often seen worshipped side by side with Vishnu. The dormitory is the place where the older teach the younger generation the mythology, folklore etc. Due to interactions with the Christian Naga, the Nocte, much like the Nishi, have sizeable Christian populations in recent times.
The Nocte are agriculturalists. Main crops such as rice and maize are planted, as their staple food is rice, which is often supplemented by leafy vegetables, fish and meat.
The menfolk have a tendency to shave their hair in the frontal part of the head, and the back tuft of hair is tied into a chignon just above the nape. The womenfolk will keep their long auburn tresses tied into a bun kept at the back of the neck, although the widows will cut their hair short on the condition if they do not remarry. Like the Wancho, they tatoo their faces and bodies.
Owing to the humid climate, the menfolk will wear a loincloth in front with cane belts, which acts as a waistband. Bamboo slips and armlets made of ivory are worn on all four limbs as well. The womefolk tend to wear a short cotton skirt that measures from the waist to knees, and a blouse is worn to cover the upper body. The goats horns acts as ear lobes, although ornaments include metal bangles and earrings are worn.
The Nocte construct houses made of silts, although the chief's houses of the are constructed with carved massive blocks and wooden pillars. Dormitories are provided for bachelors and unmarried woman seperately. According to their tradition, it is a place where the elders teach the children about traditional mythology, folklore and religion. In cases of Christian families, Christian teachings are also mixed with traditional teachings as well.
The dormitory of a bachelor is known as a "Poh", while a bachelorettes' one is known as a "Yanpo". However, women are not permitted to enter in the boysÂ’ dormitory, although the reverse is permitted. Dormitories are built upon wooden raised piles, usually measuring four feet above the ground. The bachelors' dormitories are decorated with human skulls taken in head hunting, which are used for containing large log drums carved out from wooden logs. The drum, known as thum, is carved out of designs from hornbills and tigers. However, with the advancement of Western education it has been witnessed that these practices are in decline.
The Nocte followed an age-old tradition of keeping bodies of the deceased relatives in the open, either near a river or just outside their houses. The Nocte Christians, like most Nocte, would keep their body exposed for three days, although they are kept in the house.
Inevitably, the decomposed bodies would attract bacteria, insect and germs lying in the open that produced a terrible stench. This was the cause of the frequent outbreaks of health-threatening diseases. Owing to public health education by reformers, burial of the deceased in proper coffins have completely supplaced this traditional rite since 2004. The Kheti village, which is not far removed from Khonsa, is the last village to give up this practce in the modern Nocte society.
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