Death presents a significant conjuncture of physical and social relations, marking the permanent cessation of life that every mortal faces. The phenomenon might be universal however conception of death varies according to the time and culture. The present study will explore the intersection of death and material culture, which provides the opportunity to shed light on the beliefs, practices, and social structure of the society. The paper will focus on Ao Naga mortuary practices. The Aos who call themselves Aoer are predominantly located in the Mokokchung district, situated in the northwest of Nagaland. During the pre-colonial period, the Ao people were engaged in the arduous custom of smoke-drying their deceased which demanded intense labour and resources. Additionally, the Ao Naga society did not bury their deceased but instead placed them on platform graves along with specific grave goods. Interestingly all these customs which were strictly followed drastically changed with the contact of Western colonials. The paper will focus on analyzing these mortuary practices and their gradual change which can shed light on the valuable insights, offering a broader understanding of the Ao Naga society. The article will draw upon diverse sources like ethnographic data, tour diaries, letters, oral traditions, interviews and so on. Through this exploration, the article aim to capture a broader understanding of the cultural dynamics surrounding death and material culture within the Ao Naga communsity.
