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Starting in May 2024, the project covered the Ao, Chakhesang, Angami, Konyak, and Kuki communities from 18 villages and towns across 6 districts—Mokokchung, Kohima, Phek, Mon, Chumukedima, and Dimapur. More than 400 local participants joined the project.

Nagaland is home to 17 major indigenous communities, each with its unique customs, traditions, and languages. However, there is very little awareness inside and outside the state about the distinctiveness of the different communities, owing to a lack of documentation, skill transmission, and declining traditional practices. Unfortunately, the separate ethnic identities have been merged into the uniform identity of ‘Nagas,’ conveying nothing about their rich cultural diversity.

The project fostered collaboration of multisectoral stakeholders, including local artists and artisans, CBOs, NGOs, tourism stakeholders, and educational institutions, through workshops, interviews, and consultations to discuss heritage-sensitive ways of preserving and generating appreciation for Nagaland’s rich ICH and empower local communities to lead the process.