Naga Wrestling

Traditionally, Naga wrestling has functioned as a crucial ‘social safety valve’ wherein internal rivalries, irritations, and disputes would be addressed through a structured competition. Thus, wrestling in many ways, helped maintain the cohesion and survival of the village community. Importantly, clan status and influence within the village were partly determined by the wrestling prowess of their strongest men, who were seen as embodiments of clan pride. Victories in wrestling matches often contributed to a clan's standing.

Beyond a mere test of physical strength, wrestling also served as a symbolic enactment of core cultural values such as bravery, fairness, and community pride. Wrestlers, before each bout, would introduce themselves and pledge hospitality to their opponent. This promise ensured that their opponent would be welcomed with food and shelter while visiting their village, thereby fostering peace and mutual respect. Wrestlers continue to address each other as "Khrietho-u," meaning "beloved friend", thus highlighting the sport's emphasis on sportsmanship and a spirit of brotherhood besides showcasing one’s physical prowess.

Physical strength in Naga culture was often correlated with social standing, as seen in the initial resistance to formal education, fearing it would weaken boys for wrestling. Various taboos and rituals were observed by participating families. One such belief was that female relatives must abstain from extramarital affairs in order to ensure the wrestler's success. The wrestler himself was also expected to maintain celibacy for the entire duration leading up to a match and even during the wrestling events, in order to focus his energy on the competition and ward off any bad omen or bad luck that might befall him due to any misconduct. This was done to preserve the sanctity of the game. In the yesteryears, women were also forbidden from witnessing wrestling matches. Moreover, on the day of the match, partaking in agricultural activities by clan members and families was considered taboo.

The entire clan contributed to this process in one way or another, as success in wrestling was a matter of great communal pride and often involved significant social stakes. Over the years, with the modernisation and professionalisation of the sport, several such taboos have been done away with. The preparation for a wrestling match involves a rigorous process. Traditionally, the chosen wrestlers were temporarily excused from agricultural work and received a special diet of rice, rice beer, and protein-rich meat like chicken and pork to build strength.

Naga wrestling has undoubtedly gained great national and international recognition through the Naga Wrestling Championship, the Naga Open Wrestling Championship, and the Hornbill International Wrestling Championship, that are organised in the state with much fanfare. It is, by far, the highest grossing sporting event of the state. Over the years the Nagaland Wrestling Association (NWA) has been taking proactive steps to preserve and propagate this traditional wrestling style among the people of Nagaland. While the organisation is promoting inter-college and inter-school wrestling competitions to cultivate future wrestling champions, it is also trying to take this sport to other tribes of Nagaland, particularly among the youth. Initiatives are also being taken to adapt this indigenous grappling sport to the more modern belt wrestling style in order to preserve this deeply revered athletic tradition.

Naga Wrestling thus serves as a vital link to the past, preserving age-old traditions while promoting physical fitness and cultural pride among the younger generations.