650 Notes on Northern Cachar. [No. 7. 



The country inhabited by the Angamies is, I have been told, very 

 different from North Cachar and resembles more the Cossiah and 

 Jynteah territory, an absence of bamboo jungle and substitution of 

 grass in its place being the chief peculiarities. This being the case 

 the method of cultivation carried on by the Angamies is materially 

 different from that in these hills. There being no jungle to cut 

 down, the low lands are terraced into small fields which are regu- 

 larly irrigated and permanently put under cultivation. 



Living near the Angamies are the Kutcha Nagas, who are liker 

 wise independent and warlike. Little is known concerning this 

 tribe, and I believe it has only recently been ascertained that they 

 are distinct from their neighbours, than whom they are far less 

 powerful. 



The Angamie Nagas select for the sites of their villages the most 

 inaccessible peaks of the highest hills, and generally fortify them- 

 selves in their position with stockades and ditches, as well as by 

 planting panjies in the neighbourhood. Their houses and domestic 

 arrangements resemble in a great measure those of the Aroong 

 Nagas ; and they have much the same idea of religion. The manage- 

 ment of communities is also on precisely the same principles, although 

 conducted on a much larger scale. The Angamies have no recog- 

 nized head or chief, although they elect a spokesman, who, to all 

 intents and purposes is powerless and irresponsible ; hence the great 

 difficulty we have had in dealing with this tribe, the arrangements 

 made with the spokesmen being set at naught by the villagers. 



The Angamie and Kutcha Naga tribes are computed at about 

 125,000 individuals, divided into about one hundred villages, of which 

 four among the Angamies, viz. Mozumah, Jopshemah, Konamah 

 and Koheemah are the most powerful, and exact tribute from 

 the rest. 



These villages are frequently at war and feud with one another. 

 But they appear to conduct hostilities among themselves in a more 

 civilized manner than when they attack the inhabitants of Cachar ; 

 for, however fiercely the feud may be raging between the men, the 

 women of the contending parties visit one another at their different 

 villages, without being subject to violation or detention. In warfare 

 generally, however, the Angamies are ruthless savages, as subtle as 



