The Konyak tribe of Nagaland are known for their headhunting history, which was continued until 1960. The former warriors are recognised by their facial and chest tattoos and animal skin, hair and horns which are ceremoniously covered over their bodies. This tribal community is found in large numbers in Nagaland, India and Sagaing of Myanmar. The place is situated at the India and Myanmar borderline.
The word ‘Konyak’ is derived from ‘Kaonyak which means ‘blackhead’ or ‘human’.
The social system of the Konyak is dependent on the hereditary Kingship or Wangship. The former warriors are recognised by their facial and chest tattoos and animal skin, hair and horns which are ceremoniously covered over their bodies.
Tattooing is a kind of permanent dying. The skin of the body was perforated and some designs were drawn on the different parts of the body especially on the face, chin and chest.
The design-making was painful but the men and women in the past accepted it for it was something like a status symbol. These tattoos are found only on the body of warriors. The Men who had gone to the war were marked by chest tattoos. They used the thorns of an orange or lemon tree to make the needles, which was then tied to a wooden pestle. The ink was made by mixing resin from burning trees.
The tattoos are only found on the face of head hunters. The custom of killing enemy and bringing the head was indicative of courage and pride in the past.
The belief among their forefathers was that some magical power was there in the human skull. In the past, a heroic reception was accorded to a warrior who entered the village with the captured head of the enemy.
The village-folk, men and women used to offer ceremonial reception to the hero. The skull was tied in the log drum and dance and merry-making continued throughout the night.
Animesh Dey 