Longwa: The village where everyone is a citizen of India and Myanmar

Longwa (also Lungwa) is a unique village straddling the international border between India and Myanmar. Located in the Mon district of Nagaland, it extends into the Naga Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar’s Sagaing Region. What sets Longwa apart is its geographical and cultural duality: the international boundary cuts through the village, making its villagers citizens of both India and Myanmar!

The residents of Longwa hold a unique status under the Free Movement Regime (FMR), which grants them dual citizenship.

They can travel up to 16 km across the border and stay for up to 14 days without requiring a visa. This arrangement facilitates trade, cultural exchanges, and social connections on both sides of the border.

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The village operates under the hereditary leadership of its chief, the Angh. The current chief is Angh Tonyei Phawang, the 10th generation of this lineage. 

Remarkably, the Angh's residence straddles the border, with one half in India and the other in Myanmar, symbolizing the village’s shared identity. He votes in elections in India and Myanmar.

The land of Konyak Nagas

Longwa is home to the Konyak Naga tribe, the largest ethnic group among the Nagas. They were historically known as India’s last headhunters.

Headhunting was a significant rite of passage, with young men earning facial tattoos for successfully claiming an enemy’s head. This practice, however, was outlawed in the 20th century, with the last headhunting raids occurring in the early 1960s. 

Today, the Konyak people focus on preserving their rich cultural traditions, including crafting, storytelling, and performing arts. According to Census 2011, Longwa village has a population of 5132 of which 2657 are males while 2475 are females.

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The people are unified under one church and the leadership of the Angh, who governs along with seven Deputy Anghs. Of the 750 households in the village, 170 lie directly on the international boundary. The Angh’s residence, an Assam Rifles post, a church, and a government primary school are also on the border.

The history of Longwa

The origins of Longwa date back to the 16th century. Following the First Anglo-Burmese War (1824–1826), the British defined the boundary between British India and Burma. This boundary remained until 1967 when India and Myanmar officially ratified the 1,643 km-long border.

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In 1971, the boundary line was demarcated through Longwa, with a border pillar erected to mark the separation. The pillar on the Indian side bears inscriptions in Hindi and on the Myanmar side in Burmese.

Every April, Longwa hosts the vibrant Aoleang Festival, a traditional harvest celebration that marks a new beginning. The festivities include dancing, singing, feasting, and prayers for prosperity in the coming year. The festival begins with the ceremonial beating of the log drum, known as Kham, using a hollowed log chosen for this purpose. This ritual is believed to connect the community with protective spirits that ensure a good harvest. During the festival, villagers pay homage to their ancestors.

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