Introduction

This album is from a journey to Nagaland made in 2014. Nagaland is one of the little known Indian states in the far North East of the country. Nagaland borders Myanmar and is home to 17 tribes. These tribes maintain their individual characteristics and traditions. This makes Nagaland an interesting area to visit, one which is very different from most other areas of India.

The Hornbill Festival

Each year a festival is held involving all the Naga tribes in Kohima. The Hornbill Festival is held in a purpose built festival site and all the tribes nominate a village to represent them at the festival of song and dance.

Hornbill Festival

Longwa

Longwa is a small village of the Konyak tribe on the border between Nagaland, India and Myanmar. It is said that the international border runs through the village long house, belonging to the Angh, or chief.

The Konyak traditionally tattoo their faces. Once headhunters the display of heads indicates the strength or power of a warrior.

Majuli, Assam

Majuli is a large island in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, India. The island has been the hub of Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture, initiated around 15th century by the revered Assamese saint Srimanta Sankardeva and his disciple Madhavdeva. Many Satras or monasteries constructed by the saint still survive and represent the colourful Assamese culture.

The main surviving Satras include:

Auniati Satra: Founded by Niranjan Pathakdeva, the satra is famous for the "Paalnaam" and Apsara Dances and also its extensive assortment of ancient Assamese artefacts, utensils, jewellery and handicrafts.
Shamaguri Satra: The satra is famous for the mask making in India.

Kaziranga National Park

This sanctuary hosts two-thirds of the world's great one-horned rhinoceroses, some 2,400 animals. It is also home to an elusive and small population of tigers.