Alobo Naga in concert

To understand why every second person in Nagaland seems to be a proficient guitarist, we have to travel back in time to the 19th century, when the roots of Christianity were first laid in the state. Several churches were built in that period, dotting the skyline in cities like Kohima and Dimapur, and these religious institutions fostered a tradition of gospel music. That, in turn, led to a long line of locals who picked up western instruments like the piano and guitar to aid the church choirs that performed at every service. Then, from the latter half of the 20th century, youngsters continued the legacy of those musicians in a different avatar, playing contemporary rock, pop and even metal.