Government of India- 112 views
Longwa: The Village Split Between Two Nations
Longwa is a remote village that straddles the international border between India and Myanmar. The village is situated in the Mon district of Nagaland, India and stretches up to the Naga Self-Administered Zone of the Sagaing Region of Myanmar. It is split in half by the International boundary and this division lends Longwa a cross-border charm, enabling visitors to experience the essence of two nations all within one small village.
A scenic view of Longwa Village, Nagaland. Image Source: Amit Bendre
Chief Angh’s Residence in Longwa Village. Image source: YouTube (Knowledge of India).
The village of Longwa dates back to the 16th century, long before the independent sovereign states of India and Myanmar as we know them today, were created. The demarcation of the territories of the then British ruled India and Burma were drawn adhering to the Treaty of Yandaboo (1826), after the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). This boundary was maintained till 1967, when the Union of Burma and the Republic of India ratified their agreements and created the 1,643 kms long India-Myanmar Border. As a result, in 1971 both nations jointly demarcated the boundary line through the middle of the Longwa village and erected the border pillar with inscriptions written in Hindi on one side and Burmese on the other.
Residents of Longwa village hold dual citizenship, as both India and Myanmar have maintained and acknowledged this arrangement under the Free Movement Regime (FMR). They can travel upto 16 kms from the border, and stay upto 14 days without any visa requirements. Villagers may also engage in trade and take part in social and cultural activities on both sides of the border. The village is governed by a unique hereditary Chief, called Angh Tonyei Phawang (who is the 10th Generation Chief of Longwa); with the international border dividing the Chief's house into India and Myanmar.
The village is inhabited by the Konyak Naga tribe, who are the largest ethnic group among the Nagas and are believed to be India’s last headhunters. Before the practice of headhunting was outlawed, it was considered a rite of passage for young boys to sever an enemy's head, with the prize of a prestigious facial tattoo for success. The last known headhunting raids were carried out in the early 1960s. These days, the Konyak people concentrate more on conserving and presenting their rich cultural legacy through various channels, like traditional crafts, music, storytelling, and other forms of arts.
The former warriors can be identified by their large animal-horn ear piercings and their special headdress, which are made of the horns of wild pigs, hornbill feathers, bear’s skin, and goat hair. They continue to carry the weapons that they used to hunt with and every Konyak house has walls adorned with the skulls of mithun, deers, boars, and hornbills—symbols of honour won in the past.
A Konyak warrior of Longwa village. Image source: Wikimedia commons.
Pillar on the border of Longwa village. Image Source: Amit Bendre.
There are roughly 6000 people living in the village who are united under a single church, one administration and Angship. Out of over 750 households in the village, there are 170 households that fall precisely on the boundary line along with the Angh's Residence, the Indian Army Assam Rifles post, the church, the government primary school, and other public buildings. There are two forest reserves and eight farmlands in Longwa, of which four are under Myanmar’s jurisdiction. Longwa boasts of seven traditional morungs, and has seven Deputy Anghs and one Chief Angh.
Every year in the month of April, the village holds the annual Aoleang Festival, which celebrates the harvest and symbolises a fresh start. It includes dancing, singing, feasting, and praying to the Gods and ancestors for another year of prosperity. The Aoleang festival begins with the log drum beating ceremony, which uses a specially selected hollowed-out log. Beating the log drum, Kham is believed to connect the people with benevolent spirits who protect them from evil . They also ensure a bountiful harvest for the community. During this festival, residents of Longwa honour their ancestors by enacting scenes from battles and other courageous acts that glorify their ancestors. Their fighting skills are demonstrated through the choice of traditional clothing, weaponry, battle formations, and tactics used during the performance. Festivals in Longwa also feature traditional dances such as Thangang and Aoleang Monyu.
Residents of Longwa continue to live as proud residents of the village without any instances of border tension, and promoting harmonious coexistence with those from across the border. Hence, it serves as a special depiction of political and cultural cooperation between the people and the two countries, emphasising the adaptability and resilience of the communities.
A group of Konyak women in their traditional dress at Aoleang festival. Image source: Anei Wangyen
Recognizing the ongoing need to position itself for the digital future, Indian Culture is an initiative by the Ministry of Culture. A platform that hosts data of cultural relevance from various repositories and institutions all over India.