The Konyak tribe is one of the most populous and major tribes among the Nagas. They are mostly found in the Mon district of Nagaland as well as in Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and Assam and are known for their practice of headhunting and facial tattoos. The Konyaks are blessed with creativity and are well-known for various unique practices and customs. One significant practice was and is the making and using of gunpowder. Read below to learn the art of making gunpowder by Konyak Tribe.
Traditional Way of Making Gunpowder by Konyak Tribe
Even before the arrival of the British, the use of guns and gun powder was widely prevalent among the Konyaks. At one point in time, the Britishers were surprised to see the indigenous people using muzzle-loading guns because it was spectacular and very uncommon for them to see the advancement of making such guns and powder in remote areas.
The Konyak Nagas are expert gunsmiths. Their origin of gun-making is obscure but the knowledge has existed within the community for a long time. Historically, these guns are handmade by blacksmiths in the villages using a combination of wood and metals often recycled from old materials. Single-barrelled guns cost Rs 8,500 while doublebarrelled ones are priced at Rs 18,000. Similarly, Gun powder is widely used on different occasions such as in war, hunting, festivals, and during the death of a person.
In a unique practice, villagers were instructed to deposit their urine in a designated area for several months. The urine, rich in potassium nitrate and sulfur, would saturate the soil, which was then boiled. The resulting black residue, floating atop the water, was collected, dried, blended with charcoal, and transformed into gunpowder. Additionally, the Konyaks are renowned for their craftsmanship in producing exceptional Yanglaü (machetes) and wooden sculptures, showcasing the richness and diversity of their cultural heritage.
Over the years, the technique of gunpowder making by Konyak tribe improved.
Ghat lingpu (Making of an Indigenous Gunpowder by Konyak Tribe)
The materials used for gun powder are charcoal derived from Omah wood (Trema orientalis) and a salt, “potassium nitrate‟. The components in gun powder are simple and its preparation decides the quality of the gunpowder. First, the wood (Omah) is burned down completely and the charcoal obtained from it is kept separately to cool down, it is then pounded and grind into powder using special tool like pestle. The unwanted particles are separated from charcoal powder and add a salt in the ratio of 3:10.The mixture is then heated again and again until it is dried up; the end product is kept in a dry and warm place which is free from dust or any other particles that could lower the potential and the quality of the gunpowder.
