Mon District tourism and travel guide
Overview
The Mon district is the northernmost district in Nagaland, one of the Seven sisters state in North East India. The district is close to Assam, and it is bordered by Arunachal Pradesh, another North-Eastern state, and the country of Myanmar. The district of the Mon area is a large tract of land between Myanmar and India; it was not recognized or administered until 1948, a year after India got its independence from British rule.
Mon district is about 300 km from the nearest large city of Dimapur in Nagaland. The drive from Dimapur to Mon is beautiful and can easily be done by a hired car or taxi. Dimapur is well-connected to the rest of the country through a bus airport and a railway station in the city center. If you are in Mokokchung, a scenic 275 km drive will bring you to Mon.
If you visit the Mon district, the Longwa village is a good example to experience the living conditions, the culture, and the food. Longwa has a unique Indian-Myanmar community since the village is exactly on the border of these two countries. The people are free to roam across both borders without a visa. You should wander around the village, talk to the friendly people, and see their beautifully decorated homes. A visit to the serene Doyang river is also recommended. Shilloi Lake, the largest natural lake in Nagaland, surrounded by the greenery of pine forests, is also worth a visit for the city-weary person who yearns for some tranquillity. The highest peak of the Mon district is the Veda peak, a mesmerizing place with waterfalls and stunning views of the Chindwin river (The Brahmpatura river flowing through Myanmar)
People of the Konyak tribe almost entirely populate the villages in the Mon district. The tribal chiefs are the Angus (or Wangs), highly respected and easily recognised by the blue beads worn on their legs. The Mon district is called 'The land of the Anghs' in the local dialects. Suppose one compares the ethnicity and cultures of the Konyaks. In that case, they seem to be remarkably similar to the Tangsa tribe of neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh. In the old days, the Konyaks were nature or anime worshippers who believed in good and evil spirits. The tribesmen conducted animal sacrifices regularly to appease these life-forces. Nowadays, most Konyaks practice Christianity.
The Konyaks bear tattoos on their face and hands, which distinguish them from the other Naga tribes. In the olden days, facial tattoos were a sign of the number of enemies that the tribesmen slaughtered. They were traditionally a warrior clan and head-hunters. During clashes with enemy tribes, the Konyaks were terrifying because they cut off the heads of their enemies to hang on a totem pole in the community house called a Morong.
Most Konyak dishes are made using a special condiment called Anisha. Fermented Colocasia leaves are ground into a paste with spices to make cakes, which are later sundried. Pork or other local meats are often cooked with Anishi to give a unique flavor.
Khalap, a rich black tea always boiling in a kettle in a Konyak home, is the favourite drink, especially for elderly tribespeople.
Mon district is a beautiful landscape with lots of greenery, but it has a difficult steep terrain that is not easy to navigate.
