Kachari Tribe

Introduction

The Kachari (also known as Dimasa-Kachari) are a community with a long history in the Dimapur area, where they once ruled a powerful medieval kingdom. The famous Kachari Ruins in Dimapur — a set of mushroom-shaped stone monoliths — are the most visible reminder of this kingdom and one of the few archaeological sites of significance in Nagaland.

The Kachari are part of the wider Bodo-Kachari linguistic family found across Assam and parts of Northeast India.

History & Origins

The Kachari kingdom of Dimapur flourished from around the thirteenth to the sixteenth century, with Dimapur — then called Hidimbapur — as its capital. The kingdom was eventually conquered by the Ahoms of Assam in 1536, and much of the Kachari population migrated south. A community remains in the Dimapur area to this day.

District & Location

The Kachari in Nagaland live principally in Dimapur district, in the plains of western Nagaland. Dimapur is the commercial centre of the state and home to Nagaland's only commercial airport.

Important Villages

Kachari villages are concentrated around Dimapur. The Kachari Ruins, in the heart of Dimapur town, are an essential stop for any visitor.

Traditional Attire

Kachari men wear a long cotton wrap (Gainthao) and a turban for ceremonial occasions. Women wear the Rigu, a wraparound skirt with bold patterns, with matching shawls and bead necklaces.

Morung & Architecture

Traditional Kachari architecture survives in the form of the medieval Kachari Ruins — a series of stone monoliths arranged in rows, thought to have served ceremonial or commemorative purposes. Modern Kachari villages have houses of timber and bamboo in the typical style of the plains.

Culture & Lifestyle

Kachari society is organised around clans and led by village councils. Wet-rice cultivation is the principal form of agriculture in the plains.

Festivals & Celebrations

Bushu, celebrated after the harvest, is one of the most important Kachari festivals. The celebration includes traditional dances and the singing of folk songs.

Food & Cuisine

Kachari cuisine features rice, fish from the local rivers, bamboo shoot and a wide range of leafy greens. Rice beer (Judima) is brewed in every household for special occasions.

Arts, Music & Dance

Kachari folk songs are sung in harmony, and traditional dances are performed at Bushu and other festivals. Pottery and weaving are important Kachari crafts.

Role During Hornbill Festival

The Kachari morung at Kisama displays traditional crafts and historical exhibits related to the medieval Kachari kingdom, providing a fascinating link to Nagaland's deep history.

Jewellery & Ornaments

Kachari women wear the Phulam, strings of red and yellow beads, with brass earrings and conch-shell pendants. Men wear silver bracelets and turbans for ceremonial occasions.

Photography Tips

The Kachari Ruins (Rajbari) in Dimapur photograph beautifully at sunrise (6.30–7.30 a.m.); the mushroom-shaped monoliths catch warm side-light.

Bushu festival in January in Dimapur is the best Kachari shoot — colourful, energetic, accessible.

Cultural Etiquette

The Kachari Ruins are a protected ASI site — do not climb the monoliths or touch the carvings.

The Kachari (Dimasa-Kachari) are part of the wider Bodo-Kachari family — be aware of this broader cultural context.

Related Hornbill Performances at Kisama

At Kisama the Kachari morung features the Baidima harvest dance, the singing of Kachari folk songs in harmony, and a display of pottery and weaving.

Travel Information

The Kachari homeland in Dimapur district is reached most easily by road from Kohima or Dimapur. Most travellers fly into Dimapur (DMU), the only commercial airport in Nagaland, and continue by shared sumo or private vehicle. The drive from Dimapur to Kohima takes around two and a half to three hours; onward travel to the Kachari districts varies from a couple of hours to a full day depending on the village.

Permits are essential. Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be issued online or at entry points in Dimapur and Kohima. Foreign travellers need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) and must register at the Foreigners' Registration Office on arrival. We handle both as part of any booking.

October to April is the most comfortable window to visit. December is festival season — roads are busier, stays book out months in advance, and temperatures in the hills drop sharply at night. Carry layers, sturdy shoes for village walks, and a power bank; electricity in remote villages can be intermittent.

Accommodation Options

Stays in Kachari country range from simple village homestays run by local families to mid-range guesthouses in the district headquarters. Kohima itself offers a wider choice — from deluxe properties like The Heritage and Razhü Pru to comfortable standard hotels closer to Kisama.

For a more immersive experience, we recommend at least one night in a traditional homestay. You'll share meals cooked over a wood fire, hear stories from elders, and wake to the sounds of a working Naga village. Most homestays are basic but spotlessly clean, with shared bathrooms and warm bedding.

During the Hornbill Festival (1–10 December), rooms in and around Kohima fill up by September. Booking early matters more than booking expensive — we'll suggest the right fit based on your dates, budget and how close to Kisama you want to be.

Gallery

Photographs from the Kachari Ruins and Kachari villages around Dimapur.