A brief history of the Origin and Nomenclature of the Aos.

The present District of Mokokchung is the homeland of the Aos. Aos are a group of the Naga
family, consisting of two phratries; the Junglir and Mongsener. Though the Junglir and
Mongsener lived together from time immemorial they have separate theories of their origin and
nomenclature.
Junglir: According to oral theory and belief, the Junglir emerged from stones at Lungtrok,
which is located at Jungliyimti. They were able to live a good life with a phratry composition to
populate the settlement, hence these people were called Junglir.
Mongsener: The Mongsener came from South-East Asia, crossing the river Irrawaddy and
Chindwin rivers and lived at Jungliyimti. The word Mongsener is derived from the system of the
members in the Putu Menden. The members of the putu menden occupy the seat on a rotation
basis. Therefore, Mongsen means continuity of rotation in the Putu Menden.

The distinction between Junglir and Mongsener can be seen in the system of their tattoos, dress,
food, language and other customs and practices.

The meaning of the nomenclature “Aor” comes from the event of “going across the Dikhu river”
or also just literally “gone” or “going”.

Nomenclature of Jungliyimti:
This settlement was given the name “Jungliyimti” “Good well village” as in this village both
Jungli and Mungsen populace increased greatly, there was harmony amongst them, and parity in
all matters of administration and governance. For these reasons, the village where they lived was
called “Jungliyimti”.
Jungliyimti Civilization: As the population grew, the people of Jungliyimti evolved the system
of government which was a refinement in society.
These are some of the establishments which were brought about during the Jungliyimti
civilization;

1. Administration: All laws relating to socio-cultural customs and practices and the procedure of
governing the society was established. The power of legislation, administration and judiciary
were vested upon the Putu Menden.

2. Senden Reju: The people of Jungliyimti erected the first Arju, known as ‘Senden Reju’ which
was the common platform of both Junglir and Mongsener. Further six more Arju were
established later on in the form of federation to the Senden Reju.

3. Arju and Tsüki: Arju is an institution where all unmarried young men used to sleep. Their
duty was to guard the village from enemies, wild animals, fire and any other unprecedented
dangers. It was a learning institution for the youngsters. In olden days when there was no regular
learning institutions as in modern days, Arju played a great role in imparting different subjects as
oral stories, songs and poetry, music and dancing, handicrafts and making of weapons and tools.
A young man had to undergo all these art and skill training under strict discipline.
A similar system of Arju was maintained for all the unmarried girls known as ‘Tsüki’. The
unmarried girls would gather to sleep in the house of an elderly widow selected from each clan.
Here the girls learnt songs and music, different crafts like spinning and discipline. Thus the Arju
and Tsüki played a great role in imparting learning to the youngsters.
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4. Log Drum: The Log Drum was placed at a prominent location. The sounds of Log Drum
conveyed information to the people of wars and dangers, and of festive jubilation. There are
specific sounds displayed at different occasions.
The refinement and establishment of all social structures and the system of government at
Jungliyimti attaining a high degree of parity was called the ‘Jungliyimti Sümedem’. This was the
beginning of a new civilization. However, in due course the Mongsener left Jungliyimti and
established a new village at ‘Küboklungbang’.

Over time their population increased greatly. Therefore the Junglir and Mongsener moved
together for a new settlement at ‘Aonglenden’. In Mongsen dialect ‘Aong’ means ‘forest’ and in
Jungli dialect ‘Lenden’ means ‘plain’. While in Aonglenden, ten women gave birth to ten sons on
the same night and to commemorate this eventful blessings Aonglenden is called ‘Soyim’ which
means the ‘birth village’. But as their Unger, the chief of the village, Ngarenjang was killed by a
tiger, they abandoned the village and went to settle at ‘Anüdokkong’. While living there, an
elderly woman Yimyala went to fetch water carrying the basket held up by a strap made from a
kind of leaf called ‘Kor’. This strap snapped and due to this incident their village was called
‘Kordang’.

Till this time, Kordang was the only Ao village. But in the course of time, different Ao villages
started to spread out from Kordang; and some of them returned to the old village they had
vacated earlier. This village was re-occupied and was now called “Ungma” meaning the place
where their Chief (Unger) was lost. Following this, today we see the Aos spread over a number
of crests and spurs established in different villages.

Governance and Polity: There are two forms of government. The Junglir followed the system
of thirty years cycle of administration by a particular Putu which was called the “Shilang
Menden”. And the Mongsener followed the administrative system of “Atsüngtsüng” in which a
member of the Putu Menden is replaced within a scheduled period.

All the powers of village administration is vested on the Putu Menden. Every decision in the
Putu Menden is taken in the democratic system by the will of the majority.

Marriage System : Each Ao village has clearcut clan phratries. Therefore, marriage within the
same clan is prohibited. The Aos have a distinct and decent system of marriage in family life
following monogamy and exogamy.

Language: According to oral theory, the Aos had a script written on a dry skin of an animal.
Unfortunately it was eaten up by a dog. From the very beginning both Jungli and Mongsen
dialects were spoken among the Aos. Most of the traditional songs are in Mongsen. But when
Christianity arrived in 1872, the first Missionaries lived among the Jungli speaking people. As a
result, the Missionaries introduced the Roman Script and adopted Jungli Version and so Jungli
is now the common standard language of the Aos. But, till today, most of the traditional and
cultural songs are in Mongsen.
Thus, the origin of the two phratries of Aos, the nomenclature, and the civilization and customs,
are given here in brief. To Note: Apart from these narratives, there are many clear records of
Jungliyimti such as phratries and clans, religion and worship, festivals, games, and historical
events. These are not written here but remain preserved for posterity. (00 00 00-1081)