Nagaland’s Village Shared by India And Myanmar

NEW DELHI, (IANS) – It may be as if straight from the pages of Ripley’s Believe it or not, but it is true — a remote village in northeastern part of Nagaland falls both in India and Myanmar. Welcome to Longwa village whose residents enjoy not one but dual citizenships of India and Myanmar.

Located in Mon district of the state, the house of Angh, as the hereditary chief of this largest village in district is known as, is worth visiting as the international border of the two countries runs through his kitchen. You eat in one country and sleep in another!

What is interesting is that unlike other borders where there is strict control on movement, residents of this village are allowed to roam freely in both countries.

There are two rivers flowing on the Indian side, Tegi and Tapi, while two are in Myanmar, Tejak and Shumnyu.

The Angh village is one of the seven in the district and controls many other villages, some of which obviously are in India and others in the neighboring country. What makes this place unique is the fact that the residents across the border share customs and traditions and have strong cultural ties.

In all there are 500 families and 7,000 residents in this village.

People in the region belong to the Konyak Naga tribe, who are heavily tattooed and look majestic sporting head gears and traditional wardresses. They are known for excellent wood carving, blacksmith, and handicrafts.

Significantly they enjoy the singular distinction of being India’s last headhunters.

This practice was common and important for the tribe and when battles were fought with rival groups and tribes, the winner would return with the heads of the enemies as a symbol of prosperity, strength, and power.

This custom came to an end in the 1960s. People still have brass skull necklaces at home that symbolize that they had taken these heads during the battle.