Konyak people

A chief of Konyak tribe in his traditional outfit

KONYAK NAGA

A ceremonial basket of the Konyak tribe with a skull and two human heads carved from wood. This basket is a status symbol.

The Konyak are a Naga people, and are recognised among other Naga by their tattoos, which they have all over their face and hands; facial tattoos were earned for taking an enemy's head. They are called the land of Angh's. They have the largest population among the Nagas.

The Konyak's festival "Aoleang" falls in the month of April from 1 to 6. Aoleang is the biggest festival for the Konyak. They wear their traditional attire and sing folk song to celebrate the Aoleang festival.

The Konyaks can be found in Myanmar, in the Tirap and Changlang districts of Arunachal, and in the Mon district of Nagaland, India. They are known in Arunachal as Wancho Konyak.

The Konyak language belongs to the Northern Naga sub branch of the Sal subfamily of Sino-Tibetan.

Known as head hunters of North East India. In the recent past, they were known as war loving and often attacked nearby villages of other tribes taking the heads of opposing warriors as trophies to hang in the Morong (a communal house). The number of heads indicated the power of a warrior and the tribe and becomes a collective totem. With the exception of these behaviors, the tribal members maintain a very disciplined community life with strict duties and responsibilities for every individual. Konyak is one of the richest in culture among the NE people's.

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