Naga Rapper Moko Koza Highlights Tribal Identity and Dual Worlds at 8th Day of Tribal Futures Fest 2.0
At Tribal Futures Fest 2.0, celebrated Naga rapper Moko Koza delivered a compelling session on tribal identity, cultural resistance, and the lived experiences of indigenous youth in India. Hosted by Tribal Design Forum, the event highlighted Moko's powerful storytelling through songs like Tribally Savage and Boy from the Hills, which explore themes such as militarization in Nagaland, World War II trauma, and cultural displacement. A pioneer of multi-lingual folk-rap in India, Moko emphasized the importance of staying rooted in one’s tribal heritage while navigating modern challenges. His lyrics, deeply personal and politically relevant, have resonated with millions, earning him awards like the TaFMA Excellency Award and features in global publications such as The Guardian. His work is also archived in a UK museum’s Naga history exhibit. Moko Koza represents a bold, authentic voice in Indian hip-hop, using music to preserve, empower, and amplify tribal narratives.
Staff Editor 
On the 8th day of Tribal Futures Fest 2.0, renowned Naga rapper Moko Koza joined the digital stage, offering a powerful reflection on identity, resistance, and the lived experiences of tribal youth. The session was hosted by Dilit Dhan of Tribal Design Forum, from Oraon Tribe.
Hailing from the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland, Moko Koza is best known for using rap as a means of expressing tribal identity, social issues, and historical injustices. He began the session by sharing how his community’s turbulent history and past struggles inspired him to take up rap as a form of resistance and self-expression.
He spoke in detail about his track "Tribally Savage", which was born out of the deep anger he felt witnessing military atrocities in his region during the 1990s. The song captures the pain and resilience of his people in the face of prolonged militarization.
Screenshot from the Session : Moko Koza(Left) and Dilit Dhan (Right).
Moko also discussed his emotionally resonant track "Boy from the Hills", which recounts the trauma Nagaland endured during World War II, when Japanese forces invaded the region. The Naga people fiercely resisted, and their lives were upended. The song includes a lullaby that his mother used to sing to him, one that he says remains close to his heart. The song struck a chord with audiences, garnering millions of views on YouTube and moving many to tears.
In a candid response to a question, Moko Koza opened up about the internal and external pressures faced by tribal youth who leave their villages to pursue education or careers in cities. "They live in two different worlds," he explained - one of cultural pride and one of societal misunderstanding and stereotyping. These dual realities can often lead to feelings of displacement.
Describing his own experience, Moko offered a beautiful metaphor:
"It’s like living between my bedroom and kitchen. My bedroom is full of modern stuff and posters, but my kitchen, that’s where my roots are. Where the fire is lit, the pots are blackened with soot. That kitchen is dearer to me."
He emphasized the importance of staying emotionally connected to one’s roots, saying, “No matter where we are, we must carry a sense of belonging to our community. Otherwise, we lose who we are.”
On tribal culture, Moko expressed immense pride, stating that indigenous people are often misunderstood, yet they are inherently peaceful, courteous, and dignified. “That is our true identity,” he said.
Reflecting on his own journey, Moko shared that although he once received a call from MTV Hustle -a major rap competition - he was later rejected because he doesn’t rap in Hindi. Language, he noted, has often been a barrier, with many opportunities slipping away due to linguistic bias.
During the session his songs : Tribally Savaged, Boy from the hills and Samagra Shiksha were screened.
Moko Koza is an Indian rapper and songwriter from Nagaland. He is considered one of the first rappers to introduce multi-lingual and folk-fusion rap in Nagaland.
He has won the awards for:The Best Hip-Hop & Rap at the Nagaland Music Awards 2018 and 2019. The best Hip-Hop & Rap Artist award at the Radio City Freedom Awards, 2023.
He is also a recipient of the Task Force of Music and Art TaFMA Excellency Award for his achievements in music on national platforms.
His works have also been featured in the UK-based newspaper, The Guardian, and transcripts from his song, Tribally Savage, have been stored in the UK's museum as part of the Naga History display.
About Tribal Futures Fest 2.0
Organized by the Tribal Design Forum, Tribal Futures Fest 2.0 is a month-long online festival that celebrates contemporary tribal imagination across arts, music, food, literature, design, technology, and film. The event showcases powerful voices from tribal communities across India, amplifying narratives often overlooked by mainstream platforms.
