Konyak Tribes

Why in news?

• Konyak tribes were at the centre of recent violence that erupted in Nagaland after Indian forces mistakenly killed civilians

About Konyaks:

• The Konyaks are largest tribal group in Nagaland, inhabited in and around Mon District.
• The Anghs/Wangs are their traditional chiefs whom they hold in high esteem. Facial tattoos were earned for taking an enemy's head.
• The Konyaks were the last to give up the practice of head-hunting – severing heads of enemies after attacking rival tribes – as late as the 1980s.
• Other unique traditional practices that set the Konyaks apart are: gunsmithing, iron-smelting, brass-works, and gunpowder-making. They are also adept in making 'janglaü' (machetes) and wooden sculptures.
• They are also found in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Myanmar.

Festivals

• Aoleng, a festival celebrated in the first week of April to welcome the spring and also to invoke the Almighty's (Kahwang) blessing upon the land before seed-sowing, is the biggest festival of the Konyaks
• ‘Lao Ong Mo' is the traditional harvest festival celebrated in the months of August/September.

Significance in Naga Peace Process

• Mon is the only district in Nagaland where the separatist group has not been able to set up base camps, largely due to resistance from the Konyaks.
• The Konyaks therefore, are imperative for a smooth resolution of the peace talks, as well as the post-talk peace process in the state.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Consider the following pairs:

Festivals       : Tribes

1. Aoleng              : Konyaks

2. Wangala          : Garo

3. Bwisagu          : Bodos

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer