Zeme Nagas is one of the prominent ethnic tribes inhabiting in the
North Cachar Hills District of
Assam and the parts of adjoining
Manipur and
Nagaland. They are regarded as one of the sub-tribes of the Kacha Nagas. Zeme Nagas originally migrated from
Nagaland and settled down in the north-eastern part of North Cachar Hills and south of
Maibong, the erstwhile capital of the
Kachari kings.
Zeme Nagas villages are usually seen on the breezy hill-tops. They believe in the existence of one supreme God and 8 other gods. They believe in witchcraft and black magic.
Zeme Nagas organizes about 6 festivals in a year; mostly all these festivals are connected with agricultural activities. Major festivals celebrated include Heleibambe, Sangbambe, Fokfatmi, Engkamngi, Siami and Kahagaba. The popular folk dances of the tribe include Haripivelim, Johumpeselim, Kanguibelim, Kerapsaplim, Hakalim and Nbzchuinelim.
