naga

Thân thiện

A naga dancer performs a traditional dance at a cultural festival.

Definition

Noun: 1. A member of a group of tribes inhabiting northeastern India and western Burma (Myanmar): Refers to the people belonging to various ethnic groups native to the hill regions of these areas. 2. The Tibeto-Burman languages spoken by these peoples: Refers to the group of languages belonging to the Kamarupan branch of the Tibeto-Burman language family, used by the Naga peoples.

Usage Examples

• Noun (referring to people):

  • The Naga are known for their rich cultural heritage and traditional weaving.
  • Anthropologists have studied the social structures of the Naga tribes for decades.

• Noun (referring to languages):

  • She is conducting research on the phonology of a Naga language.
  • Several Naga languages are considered endangered.

Advanced Usage

• Ethnonym: The term "Naga" serves as a collective ethnonym for numerous distinct tribes (e.g., Angami, Ao, Sema). It is often used in anthropological, historical, and sociopolitical contexts.
  • The concept of a unified Naga identity has been important in modern political movements.

Variants and Related Words

• Naga Hills: The geographical region traditionally inhabited by the Naga peoples.
• Naga society: Refers to the social organization and customs of the Naga tribes.

Synonyms

• Naga peoples (when referring to the ethnic groups)
• Kamarupan languages (a broader linguistic classification that includes Naga languages)

Notes on Meaning

• The term is used both as a noun for the people (plural: Nagas or Naga) and as a modifier for their attributes (e.g., Naga culture, Naga languages).
• It is crucial to distinguish between the ethnic/linguistic sense of "Naga" and the mythological "Nāga," which are serpent deities or beings in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions. This entry covers only the ethnic and linguistic sense.

Học thuật

Noun

1. Kamarupan languages spoken in northeastern India and western Burma

Từ đồng nghĩa

• naga