A district located at the very heart of Nagaland, Zunheboto District with an area of 1255 sq. km. representing 7.57 % of the total area of the state, is geographically situated on the 94.52° East Longitude and 25.97° North Latitude. It is bounded by Mokokchung on the North, Tuensang district on the East, Phek district on the South and Wokha on the West and shares boundaries with every district except Mon, Longleng, Peren and Dimapur. Prior to the creation of the 4 new districts in the state, Zunheboto has the unique distinction of having its boundary with all the districts in the state except Mon.
The altitudes of the district headquarter Zunheboto Town, situated 155kms from state capital Kohima and 224 kms from commercial capital Dimapur, stands at1874.22 mts. above sea level. The climatic condition of the district varies from area to area. For instance, the areas bordering with Mokokchung, Wokha and Kohima districts are much hotter and usually called ‘Ghaboh’ implying a hot climatic area than those of the eastern side ‘ajo’ relatively colder areas including Zunheboto area and those bordering with Tuensang and Kiphire districts. Zunheboto town is the coldest place in the district. This district enjoys monsoon climate with the average rainfall of about 200 cm.
The name, ‘Zunheboto’ is derived from two sets of words “Zunhebo” and “To” in Sümi language. “Zunhebo” is the name of a flower shrub with white leaves which bear sponge like ears containing sweet juice and “To” means the top of a hill. Thus, the district is named “after flower found on the top of the hill” or a “hill range of Zunhebo trees”
History and People
After its establishment in 1942 primarily for opening an Upper Primary school, Zunheboto town was subsequently declared as a sub-division in 1958 under Mokokchung district and remained so till 1971 census. Nagaland had then only 3 districts - Kohima, Mokokchung and Tuensang.
During the period 1971-81, four more districts were created by the State Government under a notification dated December 19, 1973. They were Phek, Wokha, Zunheboto and Mon. Zunheboto was created out of Mokokchung district from the following circles - 1. VK, 2. Akuluto, 3. Suruhuto, 4. Asuto, 5. Aghunato, 6. Zunhebot Sadar, 7. Atoizu, 8. Satakha 9. Satoi, and10. Zunheboto Town.
The 1981 Census was the first Census in Zunheboto as a separate district. It had then 9 administrative Circles and 1 town. Later on during 1981-91, Poghuboto circle with 8 villages and Ghathashi circle with 13 villages were transferred from Kohima district and added to Zunheboto district taking the total to 11 circles in 1991 Census.
In 2011 Census, Zunheboto district had 13 Circles after Akuhaito and Saptiqa were carved out from Atoizu and Satakha respectively. Lithsami village, enumerated under Tuensang district till 2001 Census, was transferred and placed under Suruhuto Circle of Zunheboto.
Zunheboto is the home of the Sümis, considered to be the Martial tribe among the Nagas. They have their colourful dance and songs. They are adept artisans, skilled craftsmen and weave beautiful designs on their hand-woven mekhelas and shawls.
They are also famous for their colourful war dances and folk songs.
According District Human Development Report – Zunheboto (DHDRZ, 2014), the Sümis, like the other Naga tribes thrived on oral tradition for better part of their history and thus have divergent and competing claims concerning their origin and migration. However, it is reasonable to believe that is that the Sümi belong to the Tibeto-Burman family widespread over south East Asia and it is generally believed that the direction from which the Sümis came is South, i.e. through Manipur to Phek (erstwhile Kohima district) then to the present habitat (cf. Hutton: 1968:4, also Hokishe:1986:6). Khezhakhenoma in Phek district is believed to be the ancestral home to most of the southern tribes of Nagaland including the Sümi and the Lotha.
Ethnographers and linguists of the British era also asserted that the affinities between the Angami, the Chakhesang and the Sümi in terms of language suggest that the tribes might have at one point of time more intimately connected than they are now (Hutton: 1968: 375).
Two main festivals “Tuluni” and “Ahuna” are celebrated with gaiety and grandeur by young and old. Tuluni festival is observed in July every year. It is a festival invoking the blessings from God for a good harvest. Rice beer served in a goblet made of bamboo or leaf of plantain is the main drink here. This drink is called 'Tuluni' which gives the festival its name. Tuluni is also called "Anni" meaning the season of good crops. The festival is a time of communal harmony and merry-making.
Ahuna is a traditional postharvest festival of the Sümis celebrated in November. Ahuna signifies the celebration of the season's harvest in Thanksgiving. It also calls for the spirit of good fortune in the New Year. During the festival, people cook and feast on the first crop harvested in the season.
Vital Statisitcs
According to 2011 Census, at 1255 sq. km, the district occupies the eighth place among the eleven districts of the state in terms of area and also 8th place in terms of population at 140757 persons.
The density of population (person per sq. km) was 112 and the sex ratio was at 976 (Number of females per 1000 males). At 86.26%, it was 3rd most literate district out of the 11 districts of Nagaland.
The district had 191 villages and one statutory town, namely, Zunheboto Town and one Census Town namely, Satakha Hq.
The village having highest population Lazami under Pughoboto Circle at 2936 persons and the lowest population Tsutha Hydel Project under Aghunato Circle at 9 persons.
Flora and Fauna Zunheboto district is rich in flora and fauna with different species of wild animals and birds as well as plants. Varieties of species of sub-tropical and temperate trees contribute to the eco-system of the district. The rare blue vanda, red vanda, foxtail and wild lilies besides a variety of medicinal plants are found in the mountainous regions. Wild animals like sambhar, tiger, spotted leopard, deer, mountain goat, bear, civet cat, porcupine and monkey are still found in the interior jungles.
Ghossü Bird sanctuary located 19 kms away from Zunheboto district headquarter is protected by the community of Ghukiye Village under Satakha sub-Division. It is home to a variety of birds both rare and endangered as well as migratory birds.
July to September is the best attraction both local bird watchers and ornithologists from outside with various identified rare birds of the pigeon species like Mountain Imperial Pigeon, Emerald Dove, Wedge tailed Green Pigeon, and Red Jungle Fowl flocking to the sanctuary.
The Satoi Range in the south East of Zunheboto district which still has a large area of virgin forest is blessed with different species of wildlife as well as flora and fauna. It is home to the most endangered hornbill and Blythe’s Tragopan found mostly along the belts of Chingkhu or the Satoi Biodiversity Reserves which extends to the borders of Meluri under Phek and Kiphire districts.
The major rivers are flowing in the district are Tizu, Tsutha, Doyang, Tishi, Tulo, Kilikki, Langgi, Orki and Mela. Tsutha River, originating in North East of Zunheboto drains eastern part of the district and joins Tizu below Nihoshe village, where a Mini Hydel Power project is located. Most of the areas under terrace cultivation are in Tizu, Tsutha and Mela River.
Administration
The district is looked after by a Deputy Commissioner under whom there are 13 administrative circles each headed by either an Additional Deputy Commissioner/Sub-Divisional Officer (Civil) or an Extra Assistant Commissioner.
The present names of the administrative circles are V.K., Akuluto, Suruhuto, Asuto, Aghunato, Zunheboto Sadar, Atoizu, Akuhaito, Pughoboto, Ghathashi, Satakha, Saptiqa and Satoi. The district has six Rural Development namely - Zunheboto, Suruhuto, Satakha, Tokiye, Akuluto and Ghathashi.
Zunheboto District Executive Force
The Zunheboto DEF District police was functioning under the Superintendent of Police Mokokchung till September 1, 1981 when the office of the Superintendent of Police Zunheboto was established with separate functioning.
The DEF Zunheboto Officers consists of Superintendent of Police, Zunheboto; Additional SP and SDPO (Zunheboto) & SDPO (Pughoboto).
The district has 8 police stations namely - Zunheboto PS; Akuluto PS; Pughoboto PS; Ghatashi PS; VK Town PS; Aghunato PS; Sathakha PS; and Suruhuto PS.
There are three Police Outpost in the district located in Atoizu, Asuto and Satoi. Besides, the district serves as the Battalion Headquarters of the 8th NAP Battalion at Naltoqa raised by Government of Nagaland Home Department Notification in July 1985. Initially the unit was under the Commandant NAPTC Chumukedima but started functioning as an independent command with effect from May 1, 1986 with temporary Headquarter at Chumukedima. The 1st Batch of recruit constables completed their Basic Training and took oath of Allegiance on July 11, 1986 and was stationed at Chumukedima. Its present Headquarter at Naltoqa was opened by one Company (‘D’ Coy.) on July 10, 1987 and shifting of the full Battalion from Chumukedima to Naltoqa was completed on January 1989. Did you know?
- ‘Naga Kiti-Do’ considered as the first Naga indigenous Martial Art sport originated from traditional leg fighting game indigenous to Sümi Nagas called ‘Apukhu-kiti’ (kick fight).
- Sumi Baptist Church Zunheboto, with a seating capacity of 8500 persons and standing at 166’ft and a total length of 203’ft and breadth of 153ft,’is largest Baptist Church and second largest in Church in Asia after Yoido Full Gospel Church in South Korea.
(Source: Government of Nagaland, District Human Development Report – Zunheboto (2014); Census of India 2011, District Census Handbook – Zunheboto; http://zunheboto.nic.in/index.html and nagapol.gov.in/directory_nps.html
