HereditaryChiefsThe andDiverseVillageFaces ofGovernanceToda Religionamongthe Sumi Naga Tribe of Northeast India

once living T das but subsequently became divini es Beyond Abstract. - The age-old custom of hereditary chieftainship which was changed into hereditary Gaon Burah (GB) by the uch indigenous conv ctions Todas h ve absorbed a pleth ra of Hindu beliefs and ritua practices Christian ideology has been British colonial power is still in practice among the Sumi tribe propagated among Todas wi h foreign-led Christian missionar of Nagaland. The article is an attempt towards understanding ies succeeded in establishing a breakaway Toda Chri tian com hereditary chieftainship practice in its historicity among the munity But notwithstanding the many divergent sources of Toda Sumi tribe of Nagaland. In doing so, the article dwells upon the religious ideology the predom nant and most public display of inherent power structure and key players and their respective Toda ritua activity (apart from among Christian Todas) still cen-functions within it. The article notes that in earlier times, the tres on their unique sacred dairying cult despite the rapid decline Sumi villages were governed by the hereditary chiefs or Kuka-in the importance of buffaloes in the community's modern-day mi with assistance from their advisors and helpers. The social, economic life This t gether with th ir exc usive y Toda deities political, economic , and religious roles were carried out by and culture heroes seems to sugges a unique ehnic eligion these functionaries. As these were exclusively male members frequently categorized as "non-Hindu " But demonstrably Indic of the Sumi tribe , the article terms it as the defining character-(ther fo e if o ly loosely "H ndu ) principles permeate Toda istic of Sumi "masculinity." The article contends this gender ritua ac ivity Most notable are the concepts of hierarchy and role by underlining significant roles and functions performed purity and those of prescribed ritual avoidance coupled with re-by female members of the Sumi tribe and strengthens this argu-quired riual cooperation In sum Toda religion - like the Toda ment by bringing in the case of Teli Kivelimi, a prominent Su-community tself - i at once unique and at th same time thor-mi woman village chief. [Northeast India, hereditary chiefs, oughly Indic. [South India, Nilgiri Moun ains, Toda] Gaon Burah, village governance, Sumi women, gender, British colonialism]