Many tribes have been living together in Nagaland for ages. They follow same food habits. They are mainly classified on the basis of their language. The major tribes among them are:
- Angami: The Angamis inhabit in the Kohima District. Their local dialect is Tenyidie. Their main festival is Sekrenyi which is celebrated in the month of Feburary. According to Angami calendar it normally falls on the month of “Kezei”. The ten day festival is also called Phousanyi by the Angamis.
- Ao: The Aos are inhabitants of Mokokchung District. They are classified into three sub-tribes on the basis of there language. The languages that they speak are Mongsen, Chungli and Changki. There main festival is MoatsÜ Mong. It is observed for 3 days in a year, from 1-3th May. The second biggest festival is Tsüngrem Mong. It is celebrated in the 1st week of August from 1-3 every year.
- Chakhesang: The Chakhesangs belong to Phek District. The dialect that they speak is Chakhesang itself. Their main festival is Tsükhenyie. It is usually celebrated at the end of the 3rd lunar month which usually falls in March. The festival is celebrated for four days. Tsükhenyie is a festival which celebrates the culmination of all leisure activities and a festival for welcoming a new fruitful life and year.
- Chang: The Changs are mainly from Tuensang District. They speak Chang language. The Changs usually observe six major festivals in a year. Out of which the three festivals namely: Poang Lem, Jeinyu Lem, Kundang Lem are monitored by Haongang Clan. The remaining three festivals: Muong Lem, Naknyu Lem and Monyu Lem are monitored by Ung Clan.
- Khiamniungam: The Khiamniungams are the inhabitants of Tuesang District. Their local dialect is Khiamniungam. Their main festival is Miu Tsoküm. This festival is held in the first week of May every year. This festival is also known as dividing line between merrymaking season and the start of working season.
- Konyak: The Konyaks are basically from Mon. Their local dialect is Konyak. Their main festival is Aoleang Monyu which is observed in the month of April. According to Konyak Calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Aoleang Lee. This festival is celebrated for six days. Each day has its own specific name and significance, viz, 1) Hoi Lai Yah Nyih (2) Yin Mak Pho Nyih (3) Yin Mok Sheh Nhih (4) Lingnyu Nyih (5) Lingha Nyih and (6) Lingshan Nyih.
- Kuki: The Kukis are the inhabitants of Peren. Their local dialect is Kuki. Their main festival is Mimkuut. This Festival is observed for one week in the month of Januaray. According to Kuki calendar it is celebrated in the 17th month i.e., Talbol. Besides Mimkuut, Kukis celebrate Chapphou Kuut and Chavang Kuut as well as other smaller festivals.
- Lotha: The Lothas dwell in Wokha District. They speak Lotha language. The main and harvest festival of the Lothas is Tokhü Emong. This festival is celebrated on 7th of November. Tokhü-Emong is also a festival of thanks giving, sharing and reconciliation but the most beautiful aspect of this festival is that past rancors are forgiven, new ties are formed and bonds of closer intimacy are formed.
- Pochury: The Pochurys are the inhabitants of Phek District. Their local dialect is Pochury. Their main festival is Yemshe, which is celebrated in the month of October. Yemshe is the festival of welcoming the new harvest and blessing.
- Phom: The Phoms are inhabitants of Longlem District. Their local dialect is Phom. The Phoms have four major festivals each having unique significance i.e., MONYU, MOHA, BONGVUM and PAANGMO. However their main and biggest festival is Monyu. The six days festival is celebrated from 1st to 6th April. Moha is celebrated in the month of May. Bongvum is celebrated in the month of October. Paangmo is celebrated in the month of November.
- Rengma: The Rengams dwell in Kohima District. They speak Rengma language. Their main festival Ngadah. The eight days festival is celebrated in the last week of November. This festival marks the end of the agricultural year.
- Sangtam: The Sangtams are the inhabitants of Tuensang and Kiphrie District. Their local dialect is Sangtam. Their main festival is Amongmong. This festival is observed for six days in the month of September.
- Semas: The Semas are also known as Sumis. They are from the Zunehboto District. They local dialect is Sema. Their main festival is Ahuna and Tuluni. Ahuna is celebrated in the month of November. Tuluni is celebrated in the month of July.
- Yimchungru: The Yimchungrus are from the Tuensang and Kiphrie District. Their local dialect is Yimchungru. Their main festival is Metumniu, which is observed from 4th to 8th August after the harvest of millets. The Tsungkamniu is another important festival of Yimchungrüs. It is observed from 14th to 16th January.
- Zeliang: The Zeliangs are from the Peren District. Their local dialect is Zeliang. Their main and biggest festival is Hega. It is celebrated in the month of February from 10th to 15th. These five days has their own specific name,viz, Hega Teu dap, Herie Kap, Tsing Rak, Rodi, Kuksui.
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