Cosmology, Ecology, and Spirituality: Reappraising Stone Culture, Genna Tradition, and Ancestor Veneration among the Naga Tribes.

This article focuses on the cosmology and spirituality of the Naga tribes of Nagaland and Manipur, emphasizing their deep-rooted connections with ecology, folklore, stone culture, "gennas" (rituals and taboos), and ancestor veneration. Naga spirituality is characterized by enduring relationships with nature and a supreme creator, maintained through the roles of shaman-priests, clan elders, and adherence to village customs and agricultural rituals. The article highlights the significance of land, forests, and natural elements as sacred, the cultural importance of monoliths and stone traditions, and the moral and social functions of gennas in regulating community life. Despite transformations due to Christianity and modernization, many Naga communities continue to observe traditional practices, with recent efforts to revive and intellectually engage with their indigenous cosmology and festivals.