The Glory Hunt: A Socio-Cultural Spectrum of Konyak Nagas

In the Glory Hunt : A Socio-Cultural Spectrum of Konyak Nagas, the author Dr. Kishore Jadav has delved deep into the ancient cultural patterns and way of life of Konyak Nagas, one of the most distinctive ethnic groups of India—their customs and social practices, rites and rituals, indigenous religious beliefs and taboos; their cult, pantheon divinities and spirits; especially the ways of prophecy including oneiromacy and animistic acts and performances, and artistic expression—hitherto unexplored by any scholars. His absorbing, vivid descriptions of his experiences during his expedition in this remotest part of the North East, in early Seventies, covers the exploits and chivalry of head hunting—a savage practice in primitive Naga societies—and almost an unique institution of Ahng, the autocratic ruler with his glory and grandeur whose supreme authority ultimately waned out. The author brilliantly illuminates frequent eruptions of socio-psychic behavioural pattern in the form of large-scale violences, in the present context, infesting insurgency in the region. The scholars of different disciplines will amply derive benefits for specialised study from this scholarly stupendous work.