The Konyak’s can be found in Mon district of Nagaland state, India and in Sagaing Division, Myanmar. They belong to the mongoloid race and speak about 28 dialects that fall under the Tibeto-Burman language family. The Konyak’s are one of the major 16 tribes of Nagaland state. They were once well known for their ferociousness in the head- hunting raids which is why they remained isolated and untouched by outside influences for a very long time. The Konyak tribe is famous for their prominent and elaborate tattoo patterns on their faces, necks, chests, arms, hands, legs and backsides. The iconic facial tattoo of the Konyak male represents the unique ethnic identity of the tribe to the outside world. For the Konyak people, tattooing meant obligation of coming of age or rite of passage which marked the physical journeys and life achievements of the wearer of the tattoos. The practice of tattooing dwindled after the conversion into Christianity that eventually brought the people in touch with the changing times in the world around their society.
Mon town (897.64 meters above sea level) is the head quarter of the district and the total area of the district is 1786 sq.km. Agriculture is the main occupation with nearly 90% of the people engaged in it directly or indirectly. Aoling is the main festival of the Konyak’s and it is celebrated every year from 1-6 April. It is celebrated to welcome the advent of Spring season after the completion of the sowing rice in the ‘Jhum’ (slash & burn) fields. Rice is the main crop grown along with taro, millet, pumpkin, chilly, corn, gourd, etc.