Paper Title
The Usage of Abiotic Indicators in Traditional Weather Prediction by the Sumi Tribe of Nagaland

Abstract
Our environment is indeed a wonder. It fulfils all living things’ necessities even to the extent of human’s exploitative nature. The environment supports our existence. One such dependence of humans on nature is the ability to predict weather through the faunas of our environment. The study focussed on the usage of traditional knowledge to predict weather among Sumi Nagas of Nagaland. It is the aim of this study to identify and understand how some abiotic components of our environment has portrayed the role of an indicator in weather prediction. The study was carried out in 10 (Ten) villages of Zunheboto District- Shiyepu, Sukhalu, Natha Old, Natha New, Shoto, Phuye Old, Asukhomi, Satakha, Shoixhe and Zhekiye. Qualitative design of investigation was implemented in the study. Convenient and snowball sampling were applied to derive information from informants who were assumed to possess the requisite knowledge. It included elders (women and men), folk tellers, bards, farmers and hunters, each of whom were above 50 years of age. This study recorded 10 (Ten) abiotic indicators that were useful in predicting weather among the Sumi Nagas which is prevalent and practised even at present times. The study encompasses a collection of traditional ecological wisdom and showcases the richness of the same. However, the study found out that all these traditional wisdom are decaying because of the fact that people are now ignorant about their traditional way of life and in addition, young people are not interested in learning and practicing these age-old traditions. Keywords - Sumi, Nagaland, Traditional Knowledge, Weather Prediction, abiotic, indicators