Kohima is the hilly capital of India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

's north eastern border state of Nagaland

Nagaland

Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...

 which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District

Kohima district

Kohima district is a district of Nagaland state in India. It is the home of the Angami Naga tribe. As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Nagaland , after Dimapur.-History:...

 and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur

Dimapur

Dimapur in Nagaland is bounded by Kohima district on the south and east, Karbi Anglong district of Assam on the West, the Karbi Anglong and stretch of Golaghat District of Assam, in the west and the north...

 and Mokokchung

Mokokchung

Mokokchung is a town and a municipality in Mokokchung district in the Indian state of Nagaland. It is the district headquarter as well as the main urban hub of Mokokchung district. Mokokchung is the cultural center of the Ao people and is economically and politically the most important urban...

.

Kohima is the land of the Angami Naga tribe. The name, Kohima, was officially given by the British as they could not pronounce the Angami name Kewhima or Kewhira (Tenyidie

Angami language

Angami is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in the Naga Hills in the northeastern part of India, in Kohima district, Nagaland....

 for "the land where the flower Kewhi grows"). It is so called after the wild flowering plant Kewhi, found in the mountains. Earlier, Kohima was also known as Thigoma. Kohima is located south of Kohima District

Kohima district

Kohima district is a district of Nagaland state in India. It is the home of the Angami Naga tribe. As of 2011 it is the second most populous district of Nagaland , after Dimapur.-History:...

 (25.67°N 94.12°E) and has an average elevation of 1261 metres (4137 feet). The town of Kohima is located on the top of a high ridge and the town serpentines all along the top of the surrounding mountain ranges as is typical of most Naga settlements.

History

The British incursions into the Naga territory beginning in the 1840s met with stiff resistance from the independence loving Nagas who had never been conquered by any empire before. The stiffness of the resistance can be gauged by the fact that it took nearly four decades for the British to conquer a territory that is less than 10,000 square kilometres (the eastern region was left free). Kohima was the first seat of modern administration as the Headquarters of Naga Hills District (then under Assam) with the appointment of G.H. Damant as Political Officer in 1879. When Nagaland became a full fledged state on 1 December 1963, Kohima was christened as the state capital.

In 1944 during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

 the Battle of Kohima

Battle of Kohima

The Battle of Kohima was the turning point of the Japanese U Go offensive into India in 1944 in the Second World War. The battle was fought from 4 April to 22 June 1944 around the town of Kohima in northeast India. It is often referred to as the "Stalingrad of the East".The battle took place in...

 along with the simultaneous Battle of Imphal

Battle of Imphal

The Battle of Imphal took place in the region around the city of Imphal, the capital of the state of Manipur in North-East India from March until July 1944. Japanese armies attempted to destroy the Allied forces at Imphal and invade India, but were driven back into Burma with heavy losses...

 was the turning point in the Burma Campaign

Burma Campaign

The Burma Campaign in the South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was fought primarily between British Commonwealth, Chinese and United States forces against the forces of the Empire of Japan, Thailand, and the Indian National Army. British Commonwealth land forces were drawn primarily from...

. For the first time in South-East Asia

South-East Asian theatre of World War II

The South-East Asian Theatre of World War II was the name given to the campaigns of the Pacific War in Burma , Ceylon, India, Thailand, Indochina, Malaya and Singapore. Conflict in the theatre began when the Empire of Japan invaded Thailand and Malaya from bases located in Indochina on December 8,...

 the Japanese lost the initiative to the Allies which they then retained until the end of the war. This hand-to-hand battle and slaughter prevented the Japanese from gaining a high base from which they might next roll across the extensive flatlands of India like a juggernaut.

Kohima has a large cemetery for the Allied war dead maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission is an intergovernmental organisation of six independent member states whose principal function is to mark, record and maintain the graves, and places of commemoration, of Commonwealth of Nations military service members who died in the two World Wars...

. The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court which was the scene of intense fighting, the Battle of the Tennis Court

Battle of the Tennis Court

The Battle of the Tennis Court was the turning point in the Battle of Kohima in North East India from April 4 – June 22, 1944.By April 5 the British had been forced back onto the Kohima ridge....

. The epitaph

Epitaph

An epitaph is a short text honoring a deceased person, strictly speaking that is inscribed on their tombstone or plaque, but also used figuratively. Some are specified by the dead person beforehand, others chosen by those responsible for the burial...

 carved on the memorial of the 2nd British Division in the cemetery

has become world-famous as the Kohima poem. The verse is attributed to John Maxwell Edmonds

John Maxwell Edmonds

John Maxwell Edmonds was an English classicist. He is credited for having written a famous epitaph in the Kohima Allied war cemetery." When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Their Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today "-Works:...

 (1875–1958), and is thought to have been inspired by the epitaph written by Simonides

Simonides of Ceos

Simonides of Ceos was a Greek lyric poet, born at Ioulis on Kea. The scholars of Hellenistic Alexandria included him in the canonical list of nine lyric poets, along with Bacchylides and Pindar...

 to honour the Greek who fell at the Battle of Thermopylae

Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae was fought between an alliance of Greek city-states, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, and the Persian Empire of Xerxes I over the course of three days, during the second Persian invasion of Greece. It took place simultaneously with the naval battle at Artemisium, in August...

 in 480 BC.

Demographics

India census

Census

A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...

, Kohima had a population of 78,584. Males constitute 53% of the population and females 47%. Kohima has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 79%, and female literacy is 70%. In Kohima, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Today the town's population compose of all the 16 tribes of Nagaland. The population of the Angami

Angami

The Angamis are one of the major Naga tribes of Nagaland, India. They are known for the Sekrenyi celebrations that take place every February.-Division:...

s and Aos are the largest in present day Kohima urban area.

Greater Kohima

Greater Kohima

Greater Kohima refers to the urban agglomeration area around Nagaland's capital city, Kohima. The agglomeration area includes Kohima Village, Jakhama and Jotsoma along with Kohima town and is the second largest urban area of Nagaland. It is one of the three urban agglomeration areas in Nagaland...

 which includes Kohima Village, Jakhama and Jotsoma along with Kohima town is the second largest urban area of Nagaland after Dimapur-Chumukedima

Dimapur-Chumukedima

Dimapur-Chumukedima refers to the urban hub centred around Dimapur with suburbs stretching all along the NH 39 from Dimapur up to Chumukedima. It is located in Dimapur district of Nagaland...

. It has a population of about 99,795. 'Kohima Village' called 'Bara Basti' or 'large village',which is the second largest village in Asia forms the northeastern part of Kohima urban area today. The Bara Basti is divided into khels or localities. There are four of them, namely - Tsütuonuomia, Lhisemia, Dapfütsumia and Pfüchatsumia. They are termed shortly as T, L, D, and P Khel respectively.

Geography and climate

Kohima lies north of the Japfü Barail intersection. Due to its elevation, Kohima features a more moderate version of a humid subtropical climate

Humid subtropical climate

A humid subtropical climate is a climate zone characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters...

. Kohima has a pleasant and moderate climate - not too cold in winters and pleasant summers. December and January are the coldest months when frost occurs and in the higher altitudes snowfall occurs occasionally. During the height of summers, from July–August, temperature ranges an average of 80-90 Fahrenheit. Heavy rainfall occurs during summer.

Introduction

The tribes of Nagaland celebrate their festivals with gusto and fervor. More than 60% of the population of Nagaland depends on agriculture and therefore most of their festivals revolve round agriculture. They consider their festivals sacred and so participation in these festivals is compulsory.

Nagaland is known as the land of festivals as each tribe celebrates its own festival with dedication and passion. Some of the important festivals celebrated are: Tsukhenyie by the Chakhesangs in January, Mimkut by the Kukis

Kuki people

The Kukis are an ethnic group that spread throughout the Northeastern region of India, Northwest Burma and Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. In Northeast India they are present in all the states except Arunachal Pradesh. This dispersal across international borders is mainly attributed to the...

 in January, Bushu by the Kacharis in January, Sekrenyi by the Angamis in February, Aoling by the Konyaks in April, Moatsü

Moatsü

The Moatsü Mong festival is celebrated by the Ao people of Nagaland, India.Moatsü is celebrated in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done...

 by the Aos in May, Tuluni by the Sumis

Sumi Naga

The Sümi or Sema Naga is one of the major Naga tribes in Nagaland, India. The Sümis mainly inhabit the Zunheboto district, although many Sümis have migrated outside Nagaland for work and education....

 in July, Nyaknylum by the Changs

Chang Naga

Chang is a Naga of Nagaland, India. It is one of the recognized Scheduled Tribes.The tribe was also known as Mazung in British India. Other Naga tribes know the Changs by different names including Changhai , Changru , Duenching , Machungrr , Mochumi and Mojung .- Origin :According to oral...

 in July, Tokhu Emong

Tokhu Emong

Tokhu Emong is a festival celebrated by the Lotha nagas. It is celebrated on first week of November every year and it lasts for 9 days. It is also called post harvest festival. This festival is associated with the harvesting of crops.It is also accompanied and folk dances and singing of old folk...

 by the Lothas in November and Yemshe by the Pochuris in October.

To encourage inter-tribal interaction and to promote cultural heritage of Nagaland, the Government of Nagaland organizes the Hornbill Festival every year in the first week of December.

Celebration

Organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, Hornbill Festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof. This festival usually takes place between the 1st and the 7th of December every year in Kohima.

Hornbill Festival is held at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama which is about 12 km from Kohima. All the tribes of Nagaland take part in this festival. The aim of the festival is to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.

For visitors it means a closer understanding of the people and culture of Nagaland. It must be included in your itinerary, if you are visiting Nagaland during that time to enjoy the food, songs, dances and customs of Nagaland.

Important Features

The Festival is named after the Hornbill, the globally respected bird and which is displayed in folklore in most of the state’s tribes.

The week long festival unites one and all in Nagaland and people enjoy the colourful performances, crafts, sports, food fairs, games and ceremonies. Traditional arts which include paintings, wood carvings, and sculptures are also on display. Festival highlights include Traditional Naga Morungs Exhibition and sale of Arts and Crafts, Food Stalls, Herbal Medicine Stalls, Flower shows and sales, Cultural Medley - songs and dances, Fashion shows, Beauty Contest, Traditional Archery, Naga wrestling, Indigenous Games, and Musical concert.

Localities

Colonies in Kohima (officially recognised as well as non-recognised ones)

• Kohima Town
• Mission Compound
• Pezielietsie(Tinpati)
• Krouliezou
• Science College
• Ministers' Hill (Old and New)
• Forest Colony
• Jail Colony
• Agri Colony
• Para Medical
• Hospital Colony
• New Market
• Naga Bazaar
• Officers' Hill Colony
• Dak Lane
• Kitsubozou
• Seikhazou Colony
• Bayavü Hill(Upper,Middle & Lower)

• Government High School Colony
• Rokabozou
• Keziekie
• Porter Lane
• Chandmari Colony (Upper and Lower)
• A.G. Colony (Upper and Lower)
• Lerie Colony
• New Reserve Colony
• Aradhura Colony
• Mohon Khola
• BOC
• Dzüvürü
• P.R.Hill
• Kenuozou Hill Colony (Upper and Lower)
• PWD Colony (Upper,Middle & Lower)
• Ziekezou
• D Block
• Keyake

External links

• http://kohima.nic.in/profile.htm