The Konyak Headhunters
Longwa, Mon, Nagaland
The Konyak headhunters of Nagaland, India, get their faces tattooed for hunting a head and bringing it back to the village as a trophy. They get their chests tattooed if they participated in the raid. The brass heads in their necklaces signify the number of heads they have hunted. Different Konyak villages have different patterns and styles of tattoos, all of which are hand-poked with natural ink.
The Konyak headhunting tradition is a centuries-old practice that was banned by the Indian government in the 1960s. However, the tattoos remain an important part of Konyak culture. They are a reminder of the tribe's history and a source of pride for the Konyak people.
The Konyak headhunting tradition is a centuries-old practice that was banned by the Indian government in the 1960s. However, the tattoos remain an important part of Konyak culture. They are a reminder of the tribe's history and a source of pride for the Konyak people.
Neck tattoos like these were reserved for the bravest who had hunted more than 5 heads
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