TUCKED AWAY IN THE village of Shiyong, about an hour and a half from Mon in Nagaland's northeast, lies the Konyak Tea Retreat. Lodged within the sprawling 250-acre Sayeang Tea Estate, a private tea plantation, it offers a unique glimpse into a world beyond the ordinary. While the farmhouse might seem familiar, its owner, Phejin Konyak, adds a distinctive touch.
Phejin is a member of the Konyak tribe, one of the last Naga groups to embrace Christianity. Headhunting, a practice that continued until the 1970s, is an inseparable part of their history. Konyaks believed the soul force resided in the human skull, making heads powerful trophies that could settle disputes and bring power to the village. Taking a head was a rite of passage for young men, a prerequisite for adulthood.
Tattoos served not only as a mark of these achievements but also as a form of identity and a celebration of life stages.
Even more intriguing, Phejin is the great-granddaughter of Ahon, a tattooed headhunter who played a crucial role in J.H. Hutton's 1923 book "Diaries of Two Tours in the Naga Hills." Hutton, the first ethnographer to document the region during British rule, relied on Ahon's expertise as an interpreter. A glimpse of this rich heritage still lingers in Mon district.
In the local market, you might encounter elders adorned with facial and body tattoos, colourful beads adorning their necks, and impressive animal tusks in their ears. "In late 2014, I began hosting guests at
This story is from the April - May 2024 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the April - May 2024 edition of Outlook Traveller.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JHARKHAND IN A SIP
IN VAST URBAN SPRAWLS where life pulsates frenetically, we often surrender to the convenience of pre-packaged sustenance.
SWEET SIN
FROM THE LEGENDARY STORES IN OLD TOWN TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHOCOLATE MUSEUM, FOLLOW THIS CHOCOLATE TRAIL THROUGH ZÜRICH TO DISCOVER HOW A MISTAKE GAVE THE WORLD THE IRRESISTIBLE SWISS MILK CHOCOLATE
FROM INTENT TO ACTION
IT'S DIFFICULT TO CONVINCE TRAVELLERS AND INDUSTRY PLAYERS TO PRACTICE SUSTAINABILITY. CAN THE FIELD OF BEHAVIOURAL SCIENCE SHIFT INDUSTRY-WIDE ATTITUDES TO MAKE SUSTAINABLE TOURISM THE NORM?
LAND OF THE SKY
MONGOLIA'S VAST LANDSCAPES BECKON WITH SWEEPING STEPPES AND RUGGED BEAUTY, WHERE NOMADIC TRADITIONS HARMONISE WITH UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS
Of Mountains And Lakes
Slovenia Is A Charming European Getaway With Lovely Cities, Spa Towns, Nature Parks And Cool Party Hotspots At A Price That Won't Make You Bankrupt
Can Travel Insurance Be Your Friend?
Tapan Singhel, Md And CEO Of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Talks About The Importance Of Buying A Comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy And How It Can Ensure Your Mental Peace
KENYA
If you want to experience a diversity of environments, visiting Kenya should be on your bucket list.
PEARL OF THE DANUBE
WITH AFFORDABLE ATTRACTIONS, IMPOSING ARCHITECTURE, EXCELLENT STREET FOOD AND VIBRANT NIGHTLIFE, BUDAPEST MAKES FOR A VALUE-FOR-MONEY EUROPEAN DESTINATION
SECRETS OF SIRPUR
STEPPING OFF THE PLANE in Raipur, the sweltering sun greeted me with a stifling embrace.
A SLICE OF ITALY
THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE in Naples is Diego Maradona. His face appears as graffiti on the walls under bridges, as murals covering the side of buildings, painted on café chairs, imprinted on bedroom sheets, and even marketed on energy drinks.