A visit to Jakhama Village is an awe-inspiring experience. This countryside is a treat for your eyes – whether it is on the hill slopes or the bottom of the valley, you will find gorgeous terraced farming and lush scenery. In fact, Jakhama is renowned for utilising every bit of available land for such kind of cultivation.
Inhabited by the Angami tribe, this is the second largest village in Southern Angami region, and is located on the Kohima-Imphal highway. The beautiful hills of Dzukou Valley surround it. Jakhama is the ideal place to be when you want to learn more about the way of life of the Naga people.
History of Jakhama Village
According to local oral history, a brave warrior named Viken-e established this village. He used his intelligence to drive away the raiders and protected the people of this village. This is the reason why Jakhama village was originally called as Mezhaka (the place or people who blocked the Zeliang raiders). Over the course of the years, the name of the village was transformed into Jakhama.
Right until the British invaded the country, Jakhama village, like any other north-eastern village, was an independent unit. The British decided to exercise control on Angami villages, and punished those villages that resisted. One of the most common forms of punishment was burning down the entire village – and this did happen to Jakhama, at least twice or thrice. After much struggle, the British were finally successful in bringing the Jakhama village under their control.
During the Second World War, when the Allied Forces had captured Kohima, a battalion of Japanese soldiers supported by Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army, had camped in Jakhama as well as the surrounding villages. They were successful in taking back Kohima in 1944-45.
One of the major reasons why travellers visit this place is to experience the multi-layered way of life of the locals here. A huge ceremonial gate known as ‘Kharu’ bids you welcome to this enchanting village. When you walk through this gate, you will get a chance to visit the traditional Naga kitchens. This is the perfect opportunity to taste the local rice beer (‘Khie’).
When you head out into the village, you will find terraced paddy fields everywhere your eye can see – it is Jakhama village’s way of making the most of the land that they have.
Head to the river banks and you will see the Angami people using traditional ways to fish. Learn more about animal husbandry at Jakhama by visiting the local fisheries, a snail farm, and pigsties in the village.
Founded by the Japanese, there is an education centre in this village that history lovers must visit. Pay special attention to the walls of the houses, when you are walking around the village. Some of them still have bullet marks of World War II.
Attractions to Visit in and around Jakhama Village
Along with interesting attractions in the village, Jakhama village also serves as a perfect base to explore some of the best sites of Nagaland. Some of the attractions to include in your itinerary are:
Kisama Heritage Village
The Nagaland administration has tried its best to revive and preserve the tribal culture of this state. The government-run Kisama Heritage Village is modelled after a traditional Naga village. It is like an open air museum that contains information about Naga traditions and culture. Plan your trip to Jakhama in December, as this village is open to the public during the Hornbill Festival.
Dzukou Valley
Located on the border of Manipur and Nagaland, Dzukou Valley is well-known as the ‘Valley of Flowers of the North-East’. Offering you incomparable natural beauty, Dzukou valley is a must see destination when you are in Jakhama village. Truth be told, Jakhama along with the Viswema village are considered to be the perfect bases to explore this valley. The best time to visit this valley is between June and September – this is when flowers like the rhododendrons and lilies are in full bloom.
Jakhama village in Nagaland is the ideal destination when you want to experience the culture and traditions of the Angami tribe.
Fact File
- Location: Situated 13km south of Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland
- How to Reach: Dimapur Airport is approximately 47km from the Jakhama village, whereas the nearest railway station Rangapahar is 50km away.
- Official Language: English
- Climate: Humid subtropical climate
- Food & Drink: Naga cuisine is very varied, each different tribe in Nagaland will have their own distinctive way of cooking food. The Nagas love spicy food, so most of their dishes will have loads of chilies in them. Zutho is the northeast’s very own rice beer, and Bushmeat is one of the favourite dishes of the locals here.
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Featured video courtesy : Larissa DSa
