KONYAK TRIBE

“Nagaland is a state of India in the northeast part. Traveling towards the borders with Myanmar, in remote hilltop villages, that they are surrounded with jungles and mountains, it’s the inhabitant of around 16 indigenous tribes. One of them is the infamous Konyak tribe. They recognized among other Naga tribes by their body and especially head tattoos and they are known as the Headhunters. Facial tattoos were earned for taking an enemy’s head which gave the recognition of a fearsome warrior symbolically represent capturing the enemy’s spirit. Also it gave to the warrior a highest status on the tribe. The number of heads indicated the power of the warrior and it was shown on wood make totems hanging around the neck. For most of the people this was a gruesome act but for Konyak’s it was a way to protect their land and their tribe. The last headhunting act was at the late 1960’s. Konyak and other tribes turned to Christianity through missionaries that arrived on that time. Around 40 elder warriors, now on their 80’s, with their facial tattoos, are a reminder of a lost tradition. “