Festivals

Aoleang 

Aoleang is a festival very close to the hearts of the Konyak people of Nagaland. The celebration showcases the unique colours and rich traditions of the community, mostly found in the Mon district of Nagaland. The festival also known as Aoling Monyu Festival, not only represents the Konyak community, but is a confluence of all the tribal communities of Nagaland.

Konyak tribe celebrate the Aoleang festival every year for 6 days from April 1 to 6. On the first day, the men's group goes to the forest to catch wild animals, while the women collect banana leaves and vegetables. On the second day, the menfolk slaughter the animals and invite their in-laws and guests for a grand celebration.

 The main festival is celebrated on the third and fourth days and during these two days, locals immerse in joyous celebrations by singing folk songs and dancing.

On the fifth day, the tribal community organises another feast -- a small feast remembering their departed loved ones and relatives, while on the sixth day, people disperse to their own homes and the festival gets over. On the seventh and final day, the bamboo polls used for decorating human skulls are destroyed.

The Aoleang festival celebrates the onset of Spring and the locals seek divine blessings for good health and a bountiful harvest at a pre-harvest festival.

Now Aoleang festival is celebrated annually with great fervour by the Konyak Union, at the Naga Heritage Village in Nagaland's Kisama. The celebration is marked by colourful cultural performances from Chen Area, Mon Circle and Tobu Area.