Numerous Naga tribes spread throughout the north-western hills of Myanmar. Most of the Naga are from the Chin State. But the festival place falls in the Sagaing Division, next to the Chin State. The places where the Naga inhabit are Khamti, Lashe, Lahel, and Nanyun in the Sagaing Division.
There are 64 clans of the Naga tribe.
The Naga festival is social, but it is also to exchange previous year experiences, to make plans for the coming year and to discuss how to overcome difficulties. They pray for abundant crops and domestic animals and to have good weather. Another aspects of this festival is reunion of relatives, who are away from home. They worship to their deities by scarifying the animals. The festival is usually in January, for this year it will be held on the 15th of January, 2006.
To visit this festival, one has to travel from Yangon to Homemalin by air. Then from Homemalin to Htamanthi by cruise up the Chindwin River. After arriving Htamanthi, travel to Lashe by car again. It takes about 2 days on the way to the festival.
