Toihon Nangnao (103) sits for a portrait in her home in the village of Chingdang. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×Drastic changes have shaken the isolated Konyak communities in Nagaland, east of India over the past decades. These once feared headhunting tribes have experienced radical alteration to their lifestyle and ancient culture. Their tattoos are reminders of those violent times, but also proof of their culture and rich traditions.
After British colonial times, came Christian missions, who brought peace between these violent tribes, but this peace was not free. Today 95% of Konyak switched from their animistic beliefs to the Baptist church.
The changes that once brought prosperity, hope and peace, are now shifting to a complete lost of identity by whipping off their past, burying their traditions and ultimately bringing their identity and whole culture to an end.
Wanggok Konyah (72). an ex Konyak warrior, poses for a portrait in his home in Wasa Village. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives. Nagaland, India. March 5th, 2016
×
Minnyem Konyak (92) poses in her home in the village of Shiong. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives. Nagaland, India.
×
Honngo (72 ) the Head Pastor at the Village of Longwa poses for a portrait. The pastors' tatoo reveals his past as a warrior and Animist. Today he spreads the word of Jesus in his Village in a Baptist Church. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way.
×
Khampai Müjah Ho (93). Used to be a warrior. He sits for a portrait in the village of Chiang Dang. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×
Jai Lai, a former Head Hunter from Lungwa Village poses for a portrait in his home. It's been years since the tradition of tattooing disappeared, it ended when the headhunting times stopped with the coming of Christianity.
×
Konyak Changes Pongloi Konyak (13) sits for a portrait on her aunt's house close to Shiong Village. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×
Konyak Changes Penwang Konyak (17) poses for a portrit in his home in Shiong Village. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×
A young man, son of Wanched, a fire arm hand craft producer, poses for a portrait in his home in Lungwa. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×
Chiang Dang,
×
Khampai Müjah Ho (93). Used to be a warrior. He sits for a portrait in the village of Chiang Dang.
×
Phongjai Wangnao (29) poses for a portrait in his home in Chingdang Village, Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives.
×
Chiang Dang, Nagaland India.
×
Wasa, Nagalan, India.
×
Nonlih Konyak (75), an ex warrior sits in his house in the village of Wasa. Konyak tribes in the State of Nagaland have been exposed to radical changes in their recent history, including British colonialism, the coming of Christianity in a very aggressive way and lately the rush of technology into their lives. Nagaland, India.
×