The Konyaks used to be headhunters, and their tattooing culture is closely linked to that way of life, which is now banned. Photo: Tania Chatterjee
The Konyak tattoos were drawn using the ink of the red cedar tree, while palm spikes were used as tattooing combs. Photo: Tania Chatterjee
One of the last few remaining Konyaks with face tattoos. Photo: Tania Chatterjee
The Aoling Monyu Festival is the annual 'Spring Festival' of the Konyaks, the once feared headhunting tribe who reside in the Mon district of Nagaland. Photo: Tania Chatterjee
Scenes from the The Aoling Monyu Festival, the annual 'Spring Festival' of the Konyaks. The younger generations do not sport face or even body tattoos since these are often stigmatised in bigger "modern" cities.Photo: Tania Chatterjee
Most young Konyaks have converted to Christianity and no longer sport tattoos that are stigmatised in urban India, which means that in a decade or so, there might be no living Konyak sporting traditional tattoos. Photo: Tania Chatterjee
“These people are the last bearers of this tradition, and when they die it will be gone forever." Photo: Tania Chatterjee
Mo Naga learning how to tattoo using indigenous techniques from a village elder. Photo courtesy Mo Naga
A traditional Konyak tattoo on a Konyak woman. Photo courtesy Mo Naga
Mo Naga has set his sights on getting the Konyak tattoos acknowledged on a global scale and is working on establishing a “tattoo village." Photo courtesy Mo Naga