KONYAK TRIBE (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Indian Society)

Context: The Konyak Union, the apex body of Nagaland's Konyak community, has expressed concern over an inaccurate boundary depiction of their traditional territory on Google Maps.

Konyak Tribe

• About: It is the largest tribal group in Nagaland, also found in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar.
• Settled: The Konyaks reside in around a hundred villages in the Mon district of Nagaland.
• Occupation: Historically, the Konyaks were hunters and warriors, but their main occupation now is agriculture.
• Tattooed: A distinct feature of the Konyaks is their tattooed faces, which easily identify members of the tribe.
• Head-hunters: In the past, the Konyaks were known as headhunters, often bringing back the heads of rivals as war trophies.

• Skilled Artisans: Konyaks are talented artisans, proficient in making firearms, baskets, bamboo works, and weaving.
• Learning Institutions: The Konyak tribe has learning institutions similar to the "morung" found in other Naga tribes.
• Society: The Konyak society is patriarchal, with male dominance prevalent in societal roles.

oThe eldest son in a family typically inherits the paternal property.

• Religion: Before the advent of Christianity into Nagaland, the Konyaks were the believers of “Animism” worshipping different objects of nature. About 95% of the population follows the Christian faith now.
• Autonomous Villages: Naga villages, including Konyak settlements, are autonomous units, typically situated on hilltops.