Kohima’s Market: A Contested Space between Locals and Non-locals

Migration

Migration plays a significant role in urbanisation and is expected to provide important cultural exchange, economic integration, and development benefits. This is what we observe in Kohima: an influx of migrants establishing businesses that aid in the development of the capital, where they occupy most of the marketplace. These migrants bring diverse skills, business practices, and networks that enable them to carve out a niche in the local economy. The assertion is supported by a 60-year-old local community member who mentioned that he has observed an increase in local people starting businesses influenced by non-local migrants. However, despite having moved to Kohima and conducted business for a long time, the migrants do not own a permanent house in the town and instead live in rented apartments.

The Market Environment

Kohima Main Town is lively and vibrant, with something different to share on every corner, complemented by the construction of new buildings and the commercial renovation of existing ones. Local women vendors arrange fresh vegetables with care, chatting and calling to each other, their camaraderie evident. They smile and greet you, and I learned that the smile is a powerful weapon in business, too. I smiled back as a sign of courtesy. On my way to the NST bus station, I spotted a shop run by a local, brimming with electronic items, Naga bags, cane baskets, and traditional necklaces. Intrigued, I decided to talk to the local shopkeeper, an elderly woman who has run the shop for more than 30 years. I offered her a bunch of bananas I had bought from a local vendor and told her that her shop was unlike any other I had seen. In the conversation, she shared the reasons for the laid-back approach in the local business sector, explaining that “locals often lack patience and work ethic compared to non-local businessmen. Many local shops are managed by women who also juggle household responsibilities, while others operate part-time alongside their government jobs. In contrast, non-locals often run businesses full-time.” This highlights why non-local businesses have an advantage in Kohima Main Town.

Advantages for Non-local Businesses in Kohima

Non-local-run businesses in Kohima have shown notable economic resilience and adaptability, and most of the prime shops are run by them. Their business success stems from robust networks with suppliers and traders outside Nagaland, enabling them to source goods competitively and introduce new products. Their ability to speak Nagamese helps bridge linguistic gaps, fostering trust with local customers. Additionally, non-Nagas’ willingness to negotiate prices and offer credit enhances their appeal, even if it means lower profits. Their patience and dedication further contribute to their success.

Non-locals exhibit strong business unity, pooling funds to support less fortunate members (their community) in starting their shops and sustaining their livelihoods. The success they achieve could also be driving the inward migration of outsiders portrayed by Moasanen Longchar (2014), who wrote that “unemployment pushes migrants towards areas with greater employment opportunities where they engage themselves in petty business activities such as vegetable vendors, grocery stores, petty shops like pan shops, hotels and tea stalls, etc.” (p. 103). It can be readily observed that non-locals actively and energetically engage with customers—introducing products and encouraging purchases—a strategy rarely seen among local businesses.

Advantages of Local Businesses in Kohima

Even though non-local markets bring some competition, local markets continue to stay important because they not only sell goods but also build strong trust with buyers and offer quality products (including imports). They sell locally produced items such as traditional clothing and ornaments, handicrafts, and organic products and foods, which not only attract tourists but also help in promoting economic sustainability.

In another scenario, with market expansion and challenges from successful migrant businesses, local enterprises need effective strategies to compete. One local shopkeeper attracts customers by diversifying her offerings while also hiring a mechanic for electronic repairs. On my visit to the TCP gate area, I met an elderly shopkeeper dozing off with his chin resting on his hands. He stirred awake as I stepped into his grocery shop, which also sold some chicks. He began his business 40 years ago, initially selling only rice, but now he also stocks chicken feed, noting that the business has changed. With rice sales declining, he adapted by offering chicken feed and some chicks as well. In these two examples, the shopkeepers relied on diversification of their offerings to adapt to the changing market. It is intriguing to see how, in the face of competition, local businesses now creatively adapt to the current market situation. However, local businesses mostly still lag behind the non-local businesses in sales strategies.