Ao Lokgeet Singers
Experience the Rich Cultural Heritage of Ao Folk Music
Experience the Rich Cultural Heritage of Ao Folk Music
Ao Singers keep alive the folk songs of the Ao Naga community of Nagaland. This tradition, called Ao Lokgeet, is full of rituals, seasonal festivals, and stories passed down by word of mouth.
Ao musicians sing these songs mainly during two big festivals. Moatsu is held in early May, after the sowing season ends. Tsungremong comes before the harvest. Both festivals bring the whole village together. Men wear sleeveless Lo coats with silver ornaments. Women wear Mhoushu garments with beads. Everyone gathers, sings, and dances to ask for a good harvest.
One special moment is called Sangpangtu. Here, a big bonfire is lit at night. Men and women sit around it in their finest clothes. They sing warrior songs, share food, and pass on wisdom to the young. Ao Singers use two main dialects for their songs, Chungli and Mongsen. Most old folk songs are sung in Mongsen, since it carries the original poetic style of the language. The songs talk about nature, love, courage, and life in the village.
Today, cultural groups of Ao Lokgeet Singers still perform these songs at community events and festivals like Hornbill Festival. Their voices carry forward a tradition that has lasted for generations, keeping the spirit of the Ao Naga people alive for the world to hear.
Here are some well-known Ao Singers who have kept Ao Lokgeet alive for the world to hear.
Padma Shri Awardee (2026) · Guru Pongener
Born in Ungma village, Mokokchung, he has spent decades teaching and preserving Ao Naga folk songs, dance, and theatre. He is one of the most respected names among Ao singers today.
Ungma Folklore Duo
This Ao Naga singer duo from Ungma village performs traditional Ao songs, often accompanied by native instruments like the Bamhum, keeping old melodies alive for new listeners.
Community Performers
Across Mokokchung and nearby villages, local cultural groups of Ao singers perform at Moatsu, Tsungremong, and Hornbill Festival, passing songs from elders to the next generation.
Looking for a specific Ao singer or group for your event? Contact us for booking.
Ao songs are not written for the studio. They grow out of real village life. Here are the main types Ao singers perform.
Sung during the Moatsu festival around the Sangpangtu bonfire. These songs thank the land after the sowing season and bring the whole village together.
Performed before the harvest, these songs ask for a good crop and carry hope for the coming season.
Bold and powerful, these songs recall the courage of ancestors. Men sing them proudly during festival nights.
Soft, poetic songs about love and longing, usually sung in call-and-response style between two singers or groups.
Gentle songs passed down within families, often sung by mothers and elders in the Mongsen dialect.
Sung with the beat of the wooden log drum, these chants keep the rhythm steady during community gatherings.
Ao singers don't just use their voice. These handmade instruments give Ao songs their unique sound.
A tiny bamboo flute made from a paddy plant stump, unique to the Ao tribe. It's made and played only during harvest season.
Made from bamboo or a bitter gourd shell with a bamboo bow. A favourite string instrument among Ao musicians.
A large wooden drum, hollowed out by hand. It sets the rhythm for group singing and festival dances.
A simple wind instrument made from bamboo pipes of different lengths, each producing its own note.
The Ao version is shorter and wider, wrapped tightly with cotton strings and animal hide, used in most live performances.
Sounded during sowing season for a good harvest. It adds a deep, powerful tone to group performances.
Booking Ao singers brings something no playlist can. Here's why hosts love it.
Your guests won't hear Ao Lokgeet at every event. It stands out and gets remembered.
Live Ao singers bring genuine Northeast Indian heritage to your stage, not a copy of it.
Traditional attire, instruments, and energy make for stunning event coverage.
From weddings to corporate stages, Ao songs bring warmth that suits every kind of audience.
We connect you directly with genuine Ao singers and folk artists, with no confusion and no hassle.
Every Ao singer and troupe we list is genuine and experienced.
One point of contact for everything — pricing, timing, requirements.
We arrange performances anywhere in India, not just Nagaland.
Booking Ao singers for your event takes just four easy steps.
Share your event date, city, and type of function with us.
We share available Ao singers or groups that match your event.
Lock the booking with a simple advance payment and written confirmation.
Our team coordinates everything so your event runs smoothly.
Loved Ao Lokgeet? India has many more folk singing traditions worth exploring.
Folk voices of Odisha's rich musical tradition.
The soulful desert tunes of Rajasthan.
High-energy folk singing from Punjab.
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Everything you want to know before booking Ao singers.
Ao Singers are folk performers from the Ao Naga community of Nagaland. They sing Ao Lokgeet, a tradition of songs tied to festivals, rituals, and everyday village life.
They sing in the Ao language, mainly using the Chungli and Mongsen dialects. Most old folk songs are sung in Mongsen, since it holds the original poetic style.
They mainly perform during Moatsu (early May) and Tsungremong festivals, and also at cultural events like the Hornbill Festival throughout the year.
Common instruments include the Malen (bamboo flute), cup violin, log drum, hand drum, bamboo mouth organ, and buffalo horn trumpet.
Yes. We arrange Ao singer performances across India for weddings, corporate shows, and cultural events, with travel and stay coordinated by our team.
Ao songs work well for weddings, cultural festivals, heritage shows, corporate events, private parties, and religious functions.
Yes. Performers usually wear traditional Ao attire — men in Lo coats with silver ornaments, and women in Mhoushu garments with beads.
Group size depends on your event and budget. We can arrange a small duo or a full cultural troupe with dancers and musicians.
We recommend booking at least 3-4 weeks in advance, especially for wedding season and festival dates, to confirm artist availability and travel plans.
Just share your event details with us, choose from the artist options we send, confirm with an advance payment, and we handle the rest.