<p>This paper examines the transmission of land-based knowledge through oral traditions among the Sumi (Sema) Nagas of Nagaland, India. It focuses on how collective memory, particularly in the form of folklore and community rituals, sustains the relationship between the Sumi Nagas and their ancestral lands. The study is guided by two primary research questions: How do oral traditions, such as folklore and community rituals, contribute to the preservation and transmission of land-based knowledge among the Sumi Nagas? What role does this orally transmitted knowledge play in maintaining the Sumi Nagas’ connection to their ancestral lands in the face of modern challenges? Incorporating the Rights of Nature, this research highlights the intrinsic value of natural ecosystems as recognized by Indigenous belief systems. It explores how the Sumi Nagas’ oral traditions not only convey ecological knowledge but also advocate for the rights of natural entities, framing the land as a living entity deserving respect and protection. The methodology employs a literature-based approach, reviewing texts on Sumi Naga culture, with a particular focus on recorded oral traditions, folklore and community rituals related to land and ecology. This is supplemented by a comparative analysis with other Naga communities to contextualize the Sumi experience within the broader Naga cultural landscape. The theoretical framework draws on concepts from Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental anthropology, particularly the role of oral traditions in preserving Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and advocating for the Rights of Nature. In examining the mechanisms through which land-based knowledge is orally transmitted, this study aims to understand how Indigenous communities engage their cultural and ecological heritage in rapidly changing environments, ultimately contributing to the recognition of nature’s rights within contemporary discourse.</p>