Story of Last Konyak Headhunters of Nagaland: Hunting And Tattoos
The below picture is of one of the last few Konyak headhunters of Nagaland with all the traditional jewelry and tattoos.
The brass human faces in the neckpiece depict the number of heads hunted by this warrior and the face tattoos came as rewards for each head hunted. The earpieces and other neck jewelry are generally made using the horns of various animals. He is also wearing a war hat made of hunted wild pigs’ horns, hornbill feathers, and wild bear or goat hair.
Story of the Konyak Headhunters Of Nagaland
“Let me take you through our glorious days of headhunting,” says one of the last few headhunters of Konyak. “Just as today, we have gang wars, there were tribal disputes in those days mostly over a piece of land, farms, river, or sometimes even women. Sometimes the fight was necessary to defend ourselves or at times it was to prove our power.”
“As a young boy belonging to one of the fiercest tribes of Nagaland, we used to admire the headhunters and wanted that special status too. We were taught tribal warfare, culture, and customs of our tribe from a very young age at our Morung (community hall of the village). These Morungs were like modern-day schools for us. They are usually located at the highest vantage point of the village as it was easy to keep an eye on the enemy from there”
“I remember myself sitting in the Morung learning the tribal warfare, preparing myself for future fights, all while admiring the skulls bought by the Konyak headhunters of Nagaland. We also use to make and learn to play our traditional instruments at the Morungs”
“Once the ladies working in the farms of our village were attacked by the tribe of another nearby village, many survived but 2 were killed. The once survived got a tattoo as a reward. But it was our time to seek revenge for the disease. We used to go on a fight with whatever we had – rifles, club knives, spears, dao (traditional sword used to behead), etc.”
“The proudest moment for any headhunters of Konyak was the day they get their first head and the reward ceremony that follows. When I got my first kill, I entered the village dancing with my chest full of pride. As per the tradition, I gifted it to our Angh (village chief). That was the day when I became a man from a boy.”
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“Ripping off our enemy’s head and bringing it back to the village has always been in our traditions. It was like carrying a soul in the form of the head. We considered these souls to be lucky for us and that it would bring prosperity and happiness to our village. It would bless our crops to yield better and keep off the evil spirits.”
“I hung the skull at the entrance of my house like all the Konyak headhunters of Nagaland do. It is a way of showing off your power and enjoying the headhunter status. After the first kill, I was excited about my reward ceremony. We all gathered and drank our homemade rice beer, and slaughtered a pig to cook its meat with sticky red rice.”
“The celebration always used to feel good, but it was the process of getting the face tattoo that was the most painful. It was done using a handcrafted comb and the rattan palm spikes were used to make the needles. The ink was made from the resin of Red Cedar trees. It used to be the proudest moment of our life.”
“I was very happy when I got my first face tattoo after my first kill. The Anghya (wife of tribe’s chief) came up to me as only she had to right to reward a headhunter with the face tattoo. Other noble ladies of our tribe also mastered the art of tattooing, but only the Anghya had the right to do a face tattoo. My proudest moments were also my most painful moments.”
“While getting my face tattooed, my friends and relatives tightly gripped my arms and legs and a piece of cloth was stuffed into my mouth to prevent loud screams that came with the pain of getting myself tattooed. But that pain would give you the most prestigious statues amongst the Konyak tribes in Nagaland”
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“After every raid/ fight, the Konyak headhunters of Nagaland used to get a tattoo. Those who came without a head were only rewarded with a chest tattoo. A warrior was always decorated with tattoos on his face first, the neck, chest, back, and then other parts of the boy. The tattoos depicted the status, position, stages of life and achievements in our tribe.”
“For men, it was their journey from a youngster to being an adult and reflected their achievements from various battles. For the women, it defines their cycle of life of having passed from one stage of life to the other. Their designs were simple and got tattoos only on their arms and legs. The girls used to get their tattoos from 8-10 years old, while the boys got them from 13-15 years”.
“A young Konyak girl would get her first tattoo mostly on her calf. When she got married, she used to get a tattoo on her knee. The art of tattoo making was passed on by a mother to her daughter along with the designs. Females used to practice the art of tattooing with other girls, before tattooing the males.”
“As the Britishers came, headhunting was banned and therefore it was ended. I’m still proud of my past and my headhunting days. I’m glad that even if we don’t practice headhunting now, festivals like Aolang and Hornbill Festival allow us to showcase our culture and keep our traditions alive.”
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More About The Konyak Headhunters Of Nagaland
The Konyak tribe, the largest among the other tribes of Nagaland, resides in the enchanting landscapes of Nagaland, specifically in the Mon district. Renowned for their intriguing history and distinctive traditions, the Konyaks have left an indelible mark on the cultural tapestry of northeastern India.
Derived from “Khunyak,” meaning ‘man,’ the term ‘Konyak’ reflects their tribal identity. The Konyak is a Tibeto-Burmese ethnic group residing in northeastern India. In addition to their presence in Nagaland, the Konyas can also be found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and parts of Myanmar. What sets them apart from other Naga tribes is their intriguing past of headhunting and the tattooed faces of their warriors.
The headhunters of Konyaks, primarily agrarian and pastoral, have a unique cultural heritage. Traditional practices such as gunsmithing, iron-smelting, brass-works, and gunpowder-making distinguish them. They are skilled in crafting Yanglaü (machetes) and wooden sculptures, showcasing their artistic prowess.
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The Konyak festivals, Aoleang in April and Lao Ong Mo in August/September, add vibrancy to their lives, celebrating the arrival of spring and harvest season, respectively.
The Konyak language, belonging to the Northern Naga sub-branch, shares similarities with Garo and Bodo languages. However, the advent of Christianity in Nagaland brought about significant changes, including the termination of headhunting in 1969.
Central to Konyak society is the Angh tradition, with Pongyin Angh (Great King or Chief) and Angha (Small King). The Anghs, identified by rows of blue beads that they wear above the knees, oversee village administration with the support of village councils.
One interesting fact – The Angh’s house in the Longwa village of Mon District is literally in two countries! Yes, you heard it right. The Angh only has to walk from the kitchen to the bedroom to cross the border, that too without a Visa. The entire Longwa village lies on the Indo-Myanmaar border and due to the strong cultural and familial ties, both the governments have provided dual citizenship to the residents of this village.
The Mithun (Drung Ox), a domestic cattle species and Hornbill holds cultural significance symbolizing wealth and fertility for the Konyaks. Although they once followed animism, Christianity has gained prominence among the tribe, leading to modernization and the embrace of Western education. Agriculture remains their primary occupation, featuring terraced farming and diverse crop cultivation.
In essence, the Konyak headhunters of Nagaland, with their rich history and evolving traditions, offer a fascinating glimpse into the cultural mosaic of Nagaland.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Konyak Headhunters of Nagaland
Who are the Konyak headhunters of Nagaland?
The Konyak headhunters of Nagaland are members of the Konyak tribe, known for their historical practice of headhunting. The Konyaks, residing in the Mon district of Nagaland, were once notorious for their fierce reputation as headhunters.
Is headhunting still practiced among the Konyak tribe?
No, headhunting is no longer practiced among the Konyak tribe. The tradition came to an end, particularly after the Indian government banned the custom. The last reported case of headhunting among the Konyaks dates back to 1969. The end of headhunting was influenced by factors such as the introduction of Christianity, which played a role in reducing warfare and bringing about social change.
Can visitors meet or interact with the Konyak tribe in Nagaland?
Yes, visitors have the opportunity to meet and interact with the Konyak tribe in Nagaland. The Konyak villages, especially in the Mon district, welcome tourists who are interested in exploring their unique culture and traditions. The villages often showcase traditional practices, rituals, and craftsmanship, providing visitors with a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Konyak tribe.
What is the significance of headhunting among the Konyak tribe's history?
Headhunting held significant cultural and social importance in the history of the Konyak tribe. It was considered a rite of passage for warriors and a means of establishing one’s valor and bravery. The practice also had spiritual and ritualistic dimensions, believed to bring prosperity to the tribe. However, with the advent of Christianity and the changing socio-political landscape, headhunting lost its prominence and eventually ceased, marking the end of an era for the Konyak headhunters. The significance of headhunting now remains as a historical and cultural legacy of the tribe.
