Omen is an important aspect of Angami belief system. This is their search for the unknown and is known as Thophi (checking one's luck). It has to be consulted on every important event such as during the march to war, hunting, marriage, sickness, etc. The simplest method of observing omen is by tossing two leaves on the ground. If one leaf is right side up and the other upside down, it is a sign of good luck. Another method of observing omen is by slicing a small branch of Chiese or Teise plant. The branch is sliced into five, seven or nine and is then dropped one after another. The performer is able to tell whether it is a good or bad omen by checking the number of slices that turned upward and down-ward respectively.
The third type of consulting an omen is by strangling a fowl at certain ceremonies such as Sekrenyi festival. In this case, if the right leg crosses over the left, then it is said to be a good omen. While making a journey or a mission if a civet, a squirrel, or a snake etc runs across one's path, then it is seen as a sign of an unsuccessful mission. The Angamis also consult the chirping of certain tiny bird called Tseuno. While going out of your house, if the chirping is heard from the leftward direction, it heralds good news. The reason for taking the left-handside as a good omen is that one usually carries the pezhii (shield) on the left hand. The Angamis also consider dreams to be very significant to foretell their future. Dreams are consulted for any special event in their lives. Dream used to be a deciding factor in arranging a marriage. Even if things seem favourable, a bad dream by any one between the intending persons may stand in the way from solemnizing a marriage. Some examples of interpretation of dream are: if one dreams about cow, it rains; if one dreams about fire, it will be a sunny weather, if one catches fish in a dream, he gets money. If a tooth is fallen in a dream, death may occur in the family. Again, if one dreams about a group of people in ceremonial dresses, then It is a prediction for the death of a nearest kin or relative. However, interpretations may also differ from person to person. Some of the Angamis are also quite apprehensive about the name of a person in the dream because they try to analyse their dreams according to the meaning of that particular name. A name starting with the root like Ruovi (good fortune) or Kekuo (Strength) is definitely a good one.
Do you know? Ngonyi: Another important festival of Angamis held in month of Kera (April) marking the completion of sowing newly prepared jhum fields.
Tiekede or Kevakete: A festival heralding the completion of harvest celebrated in the last part of Zipe (November).
Excerpts taken from the Book, “Traditional Culture of The Angami Nagas” by KS Zetsuvi., Heritage Publishing House, 2014. Printed with Permission.
