The Story
The Aoling Monyu Festival is the annual ‘Spring Festival’ of the Konyaks, the once feared headhunting tribe who reside in the Mon district of Nagaland.
It marks the end of winter with the completion of the sowing season by March end, and heralds the New Year.
Stretching over six days, this festival provides an excellent insight into the rich cultural heritage of the Konyaks who certainly still know how to celebrate their culture. Bright orange beading, dramatic headdresses made out of horns and feathers, hours of traditional song and dance, and of course copious amounts of the traditional rice beer was consumed during the festival.
Guns, with real gunpowder, go off at all times – these are symbolic of their headhunting days of the past. Konyaks have been making their own guns and gunpowder long before coming in contact with the outside world.
The festival is celebrated in villages across the district with no defined schedule. You have to ask around about events taking place when you get there.
Journey Highlights
- Discover the tribes of Nagaland:
- Experience the Aoling Monyu Festival of the Konyaks:
- Visit the house of the king in Longwa which is half in India and half in Burma:
- Drink a lot of rice beer:
Day by Day
Welcome at airport and transfer to Dibrugarh. Night in hotel/bungalow.
Post breakfast we drive to Sibsagar to visit the Ahom monuments and temples which encompass the 600 year old history of the Ahom Dynasty. After crossing the Assam-Nagaland border, we encounter some hilly terrain. Night in basic guest house or homestay.
Drive to Shangnyu village. This village is ruled by the Chief Angh is a prominent village in Mon district. There is a wonderful wooden monument measuring 8ft in height and 12ft in breadth-believed to be constructed by heavenly angles. Human beings and other creatures are carved on this monument. After returning Shangnyu village visit Mon village, here also you will find tattooed Konyaks. Post lunch drive to Chui village situated about 8 Km from the district headquarters of Mon. After lunch drive to the Langmeing to see head hunting trophies. On way back to Mon visit Chui village still retains its old world charm. One can see the Anghs mansion and other houses. Night in basic guest house or homestay.
You will be participating in the Aoling Festival of the Konyak Tribe. You will get to observe religious ceremonies, dances and attires, and taste traditional cuisines and drinks of the Konyak Tribe. At other times, you will visit various remote villages near Mon such as Longwa where you will get a chance to observe the sustainable lifestyle of the tribal community, interact with the people and visit their houses. Night in basic guest house or homestay.
After breakfast, drive to Mokokchung, home of the Ao Tribe. Night in basic hotel/guesthouse.
Spend the day discovering the cultural hub of Nagaland. Observe the lifestyle of the Ao Tribe, visit their homes, and learn more about their customs. Visit the district art and culture museum and the town centre to look for hand-woven shawls. Another great excursion can be to the nearby village of Mopungchuket. Night in Hotel/Resort.
Drive to Jorhat. En route, visit the oldest Tea Research and Training Institute. In the evening, enjoy a life quite different from the normal, a feeling of life like old British Tea Planters. Night in hotel.
Transfer to Dibrugarh airport. End of our services.
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Aoling Monyu Festival