Longwa village in Nagaland offers the unique opportunity to meet the last generations of tattooed headhunters, who were once very fierce before headhunting was banned in India in 1960. Our Longwa village travel guide takes you through a village situated in two countries, with one part of the house in Myanmar and the other part in India. These are not just stories but fascinating realities that make Longwa a must-visit destination. Hope this travel guide will help you learn more about Longwa Village and make your tour plan beforehand.
A scenic drive through the winding roads of the Naga Hills takes you to Longwa, a beautiful village located at the top of a hill. From here, you can enjoy a breathtaking birds’-eye view of the entire Mon Town and Myanmar. The village is especially dreamy during the evening when you can revel in the fresh air and stunning sunset.
Where is Longwa village?
Longwa village is located in the Mon district 40 km from the Mon town, which is the northernmost district of Nagaland. The village nestles between the international borders of India and Myanmar, with every villager enjoying dual citizenship of both countries. Longwa is bounded by Arunachal Pradesh to the north, Assam to the west, and Myanmar to the east. Mon is an important town in the area inhabited by the Konyak Naga tribe, one of the sixteen tribes of Nagaland, known for their headhunting practices.
How to Reach Longwa Village
Sibsagar district, located in Assam, is the nearest town to Mon, from where it takes around 3–4 hours to reach Longwa. The road to Longwa passes through scenic tea gardens and hilly roads. You can reach Mon from Mokokchung district as well. Which takes around 9 -10 hrs depending on road condition. Jorhat and Dibrugarh are two nearest towns of Mon. You can easily reach Mon from these two places apart from Sibsagar.
Exploring Longwa Village
Early in the morning of the next day, we started our journey to Longwa. It took us around 2 hours to reach the village. Upon arrival, we first visited the house of the Angh(king), who is the head of many villages. The Angh rules over 35 villages on the Myanmar side and 5 villages on the Indian side. Longwa has many kings and deputy kings who have ruled the region.
The Angh’s House: A Must-Visit Place in Longwa Village
Located in the center of the village the Angh’s house it the major attraction of the village. The house is beautifully decorated with wood carving, buffalo horns and photographs. Various wooden sculptures of animals and other objects can be seen in every corner. Traditional weapons, instruments, including a big, long drum, used during times of war are also preserved in the house very nicely. Skilful wood carving is unique to this region, and visitors can see different objects crafted from a single piece of wood.
The traditional big kitchen in Angh’s house, where guests are offered black tea and snacks, is a must see. The India-Myanmar border goes through this kitchen, where the area to the right of the fire-pit falls in Myanmar, and the portion to the left of the fire-pit is in India. Women in the house make beautiful jewellery, such as neckpieces, earrings, and shawls, and visitors can also purchase traditional weapons, woodcraft, jewellery, masks, and antiques from them, A small road site market is also available in front of Chef’s house where travellers can buy various jewellery and decorative items very unique to this reason.
Check our comprehensive guide to Hongphoi Village to know everything about it before visiting the head hunters village of Nagaland.
Attractions in Longwa
Traditional gun makers, is another attraction in Longwa where the process used to make guns can be observed, and traditional air guns can be seen.
Longwa village has a rich cultural heritage to explore. Apart from the welcoming community of headhunters, the village also boasts traditional Morungs, beautifully decorated with wood crafts. These Morungs serve as common areas where elders teach valuable skills to the young boys and girls of the village. This practice is widespread throughout Nagaland and is an essential part of their culture. Additionally, Longwa village also has a church worth visiting.
Check our Nagaland tour packages to find the most suitable tour package for you.
Homestay in Longwa village
Few families in the village offer stay in their home for tourist. To observe the location culture and tradition homestays are best option. One of the best homestay in the village is Longsha homestay. It is a beautiful traditional homestay decorated with wooden sculptures and Naga Cultural symbols. where you can meet the princess of Burma. One can observe the women wearing traditional jewelry and headgear and even meet tribal men with tattoos on their whole bodies. The traditional home of the king’s family, decorated with woodcrafts, is a must-visit in Longwa. Very few basic guest house are also available in Longwa.
Konyak Naga Tribe: The Tattooed Headhunters of Longwa
Longwa village, located in Nagaland, is home to around 30 living tattooed headhunters, with the oldest one being over 80 years old. Visitors can explore their homes, talk with them, and learn about their history and way of life. To meet them and learn about their way of life, it is necessary to hire a local guide who can show you around.
In Longwa, people receive tattoos for different reasons, including identifying those belonging to the same clan or village through distinct patterns and celebrating accomplishments. Tattoos were also made on arms, legs, and backs using ink made from the soot of tree sap combined with crushed leaves. It’s important to note that tattoos were banned in India in 1960.
As Longwa village lies in both India and Myanmar, the residents hold dual citizenship and can roam freely in both countries.
Check our tribal tour package in Northeast India to plan your tour in Longwa village in Nagaland.
Check the best itinerary to visit the last generation of headhunters in Nagaland
Top tips for visiting Longwa Village, Nagaland
- To visit Longwa village, it is essential to hire a local guide as the villagers do not understand Hindi or English and speak their local dialect.
- There are no hotels or restaurants in the village, so it’s best to have breakfast early at your hotel and order food in advance at the homestay.
- The village can only be explored on foot, and it’s recommended to enjoy storytelling sessions at night since people in the village sleep early.
- Everything in the village is closed on Sundays.
- Take permission and pay something before taking anyone’s photo.
Now a days the whole village is transformed into a tourist friendly and peaceful villages. When we visited in 2023 the effect of Opium is very less. We find all the youths very active and friendly.
Visiting the headhunters of Longwa village is an amazing and unforgettable experience. These villagers were once known for their bravery and fierceness, as evidenced by the unique tattoos on their bodies. Nowadays, they live in harmony with their families and spend their time sharing memories. Don’t miss out on the chance to immerse yourself in this fascinating culture before it’s too late!
Hope this travel guide will help you to make your travel plan to Longwa village comfortably. If you have any queries, please write to us !
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