Like many other ethnic groups in Northeast India, they practice jhum, or shifting cultivation. Unlike other Naga ethnic groups in Nagaland, many of the Sangtam have retained their traditional beliefs in spite of embracing Christianity at the same time. Sangtams celebrate twelve different festivals, in particular Mungmung, all of which are affiliated with their traditional culture and religion.
The Sangtam people are one of the major ethnic groups in Nagaland. Towards the south-eastern part of Nagaland, they inhabit the Kiphire District. The northern part of Sangtam includes the Longkhim-Chare sub-division of Tuensang District. They are united under the common banner called "United Sangtam". There are 62 recognised villages of the Sangtams, 24 villages under Longkhim-Chare sub-division and 38 villages under Kiphire District as of recent data. There are seven government administrative towns under united Sangtam jurisdiction. In recent years, Sangtam villages namely Tsithrongse and Mürise Village under Chümoukedima District and Sangtamtilla Village under Dimapur District has also been recognised.
