The Konyaks, India's Last Headhunters
India's Last Headhunters
The jungles and hilltops of northeastern India are home to a diverse group of people known as the Naga. The Konyaks are the largest group of Naga, but that isn't why they've captivated the imaginations of travelers worldwide.
Once, the Konyaks were the most feared tribe in the region, achieving notoriety for their striking facial tattoos and chilling tradition of headhunting.
Today, those tattoos are remnants of a way of life that has been abandoned. But the story of the Konyaks is far from over.
Where Do They Live?
The Konyaks are part of India's Naga ethnic group, and live in the northeastern state of Nagaland, in the Mon District. The Mon District is also called "The Land of the Anghs", named for the Konyak chiefs, called Anghs.
How Many Are There?
Of all the Naga tribes, the Konyaks have the biggest population. Living throughout Nagaland and in parts of Myanmar, there are 320,000 Konyaks today.
Their Tattoos
The Konyaks' facial tattoos are their most distinct feature that sets them apart from other Naga—but there's a dark meaning behind those markings. They are earned for taking the head of an enemy. Headhunting was a tradition among all the Naga tribes but the Konyaks were known for their ruthless efficiency when it came to this practice.
Their Jewelry
In addition to facial tattoos, earrings were another common tradition among the Konyaks. Earrings were typically made of animal bones or horns, with warriors wearing goat horns to stretch their ear lobes.
Earrings were such a captivating part of Konyak culture, that it is believed the name of their state, Nagaland, originated from a Burmese word meaning "people with earrings".
