READING NAGA TRADITIONAL ATTIRES FROM A SEMIOTIC PERSPECTIVE.

The Naga traditional attires carries full of symbolic meanings this is to state that in traditional time one?s attires and ornaments was used to mark its identity. The entire concept of attires is centered on the principle of feast of merit and head hunting therefore the stratification of Naga society is based on these two. A dress for most human society is to cover its body, though it has its adornment, however for a Naga it is the social distinction of one clan from the other and most importantly attires signifies the status and position of the wearer therefore attires are an identity marker. Each pattern and motifs inscribed in the shawls represent a semiotic meaning of the wearer. Tattooing forms an integral aspect of Naga culture and set a benchmark in the social stratification. The use of hornbill feather signifies of being leader and symbolizes of high status. What is significant in this study is the use of objects such as animals, birds, human heads and many more all these carry sociological as well as semiotic meaning. Therefore attires are not just for covering the body but reveal the wearer?s identity in the context of naga culture.