Khonoma: The honest village of India

Located near the Indo-Myanmar border, Nagaland's Khonoma is the first green village of India for its commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable living practices. However, a little-known fact is that Khonoma is also the most honest village in India where shops are left unattended, houses are not locked and there are no cases of theft or any other crime.

Khonoma is home to Nagaland’s Angami tribe and is also described as the ‘warrior village’ because of their history. They showed fierce resistance during British rule. Yet, the most unique factor that defines the culture of the Angami people is ‘honesty’.

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Among the Angami people, honesty is not just a moral virtue—it is a powerful and unifying force that contributes to the overall well-being and prosperity of the community. The tribal community's values and sustainable practices have made Kohonoma an offbeat tourism destination.

The deep-rooted commitment to honesty among the Angamis is a key reason why absolute poverty is virtually nonexistent among them.

Angami households are often left unlocked because theft is unheard of. Stealing is not only condemned socially; it is believed to bring dishonour and divine displeasure. The act is seen as an offence not just against individuals, but against God.

Another compelling example of this trust-based society is found in their agricultural practices. 

If someone becomes tired while transporting a harvest home, they can leave the goods by the roadside and return the next day to retrieve them without fear of anyone taking them. 

Why the Angamis are honest 

The Angamis believed in Animism before Christianity was introduced in the 19th century. Animism attributed spiritual significance to natural elements, animals, and the environment that profoundly shaped the Nagas' worldview. 

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This spiritual connection wasn't merely religious but integral to daily life, influencing rituals, traditions, and interactions with the environment. Within the Angami community, such 154 concepts are called 'Kenyü'. 

The 154 'Kenyü' carries profound psychological weight among the Angami people, compelling them to refrain from specific actions or behaviours, including dishonesty, theft or disrespect towards the elders and the differently-abled.

While 'forbidden' is the closest translation, it fails to encompass the full cultural and emotional depth of 'Kenyü'. Each of the 154 Kenyü is rooted in specific origins and serves a distinct purpose. 

For instance, it is 'Kenyü' to consume meat from a stolen cat, as it is believed a curse will befall the offender. 

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This belief originated from incidents involving domesticated cats being killed for food, leading to community disputes and elders instituting a curse against such acts.

It is Kenyü to accept bribes because whoever takes bribes never has a good fortune and receives a curse. 

It is Kenyü to pay half the wages to people who worked for us. This is because when they are half-paid, the blessings meant for us would become theirs.

Another one is that offending one's aunt or uncle is 'Kenyü', believed to result in lifelong paralysis and reclining while eating may lead to promiscuity. 

It is 'Kenyü' to point at a pumpkin with one's finger, as it is believed to cause the pumpkin to rot away. 

These examples illustrate how 'Kenyü' integrates spiritual, cultural, and social norms within the Angami community, underscoring the intricate relationship between belief systems, behaviours, and the natural environment.

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