Mokokchung
Encyclopedia
Mokokchung is a town and a municipality
in Mokokchung district
in the India
n state of Nagaland
. It is the district headquarter as well as the main urban hub of Mokokchung district. Mokokchung is the cultural center of the Ao people
and is economically and politically the most important urban centre in Northern Nagaland. In fact it is the most important urban hub in all of Nagaland after Dimapur and Kohima. The town is made up of 16 wards of which Kumlong, Sangtemla, Alempang and Yimyu
are the largest. Mokokchung is particularly noted for its extravagant Christmas, New Year, Moatsu
and Tsungremong celebrations. Its tradition of celebrating Christmas and New Year midnight celebrations in the main town square is regarded as one of the unique features of Mokokchung. Historically, Mokokchung was one of the first Naga Hills sites where the Assam Rifles, led by Britishers, established their outposts (then called stockades) in the later part of 19th century. Much of the town initially grew around this post located in the DC Hill. The British administration was then gradually extended eastwards towards the remoter parts of the Naga Hills.
Mokokchung is located at 26.33°N 94.53°E. It is located at an elevation of 1325 metres above sea level.
Mokokchung has a mild climate throughout the year. For ten months of the year, maximum temperature hovers in the mid twenties.
Major Highways passing through Mokokchung are:
, the population under Mokokchung Municipal Council (excluding the colonies beyond Sungkomen Ward) had a population of 31,204. The actual population is 41,746 (including Yimyu ward which was incorporated into Mokokchung proper in 2003, i.e. after the last census in 2001). Its metropolitan agglomeration has a population of 60,161. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Mokokchung has the highest literacy rate in the state with an average literacy rate of 84%, far above the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 83%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The population is predominantly Ao, as the town is the heart and the cultural centre of the Aos.
, a term which refers to the continuous settlements from Alichen in the south, through Mokokchung town up to Amenyong and Khensa in the North West; and from Mokokchung town through Fazl Ali College up to DEF colony in the North East.
The trend of sub urbanization in Mokokchung ( which had started in Western countries in the sixties) started in the eighties with the mushrooming of satellite towns like Yimyu and Marepkong. Today, the urban settlement has spilled outside the historical boundary of Mokokchung town. This trend has speeded up (since the late nineties) so much so that the erstwhile satellite town of Yimyu boomed and spread towards Mokokchung and became conjoined with it. Today it has become a ward of Mokokchung. As a result of this flight to the suburbs, population growth in Mokokchung town (the area under the municipality comprising the fifteen wards) has slowed down while the satellite towns are booming.
Besides, the following villages have been engulfed by the spiralling urban spread of Mokokchung and have acquired urban characteristics. In fact, though not part of the municipality, they have become very much a part of Mokokchung and are confused by many tourists as being localities of the town.
People are now living miles away from the main town in smaller suburbs as well as villages, who drive to work daily to the main town. This phenomenon is in sharp contrast to other towns in Nagaland like Kohima, Wokha and Zunheboto where an overwhelming majority of the population tend to be concentrated in the main town.
is the predominant religion of Mokokchung, with more than 95% of the population being Baptist
. The Aos were the first of the Nagaland peoples to embrace Christianity in the 19th century, and the area is the hub of India's Baptist belt. The revivalist movement that swept the entire state of Nagaland in the 1970s originated in Mokokchung District and Mokokchung was a major centre. Impur
, 15 kilometres away, is the centre of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang
(Ao Baptist Churches Convention). The main town Baptist church, located at the heart of the town, is one of the largest churches in Asia.
The other religions and faiths practiced in Mokokchung - mainly by immigrant business community from mainland India - are Hinduism
, Sikhism
and Islam
.
. From the late 19th century, through the 20th century and continuing in the present times, the sons and daughters of Mokokchung have excelled and led the state in every field. Mokokchung is the home and venue of "Naga Idol", a talent search contest on the lines of "American Idol
". Naga Idol show holds the distinction of having garnered the highest TV viewership and record sales in Nagaland. It official website is http://www.nagaidol.com
Over the last two decades, Mokokchung has become a stronghold of the Indian National Congress
party which can be partly attributed to the fact that the party was led by S. Chubatoshi Jamir whose constituency was Aonglenden. In the 2003 general Assembly elections, Indian National Congress won Aonglenden, Mongoya and Mokokchung town constituencies while Koridang constituency was won by an Independent candidate.
Important political leaders of Nagaland from Mokokchung:
The following are the proposed distribution of wards of Mokokchung under Assembly constituencies as part of the delimitation process.http://www.tiryimyim.com/
The various satellite cable TV network provider also runs local channels of their own.
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
in Mokokchung district
Mokokchung District
Mokokchung is a district of Nagaland state in India. The town of Mokokchung is its headquarters. It is the home of the Ao Naga tribe. It covers an area of 1,615 km². It is bounded by the state of Assam to its north, Wokha to its west, Tuensang to its east, and Zunheboto to its...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Nagaland
Nagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
. It is the district headquarter as well as the main urban hub of Mokokchung district. Mokokchung is the cultural center of the Ao people
Ao people
The Ao are a Naga people of Nagaland in northeast India. Their main territory is from Tsula Valley in the east to Tsurang Valley in Mokokchung District...
and is economically and politically the most important urban centre in Northern Nagaland. In fact it is the most important urban hub in all of Nagaland after Dimapur and Kohima. The town is made up of 16 wards of which Kumlong, Sangtemla, Alempang and Yimyu
Yimyu
Yimyu is one of the 15 wards that make up Mokokchung town in India. It is an extensive area and forms the northwestern part of Mokokchung. Until 2003, Yimyu was a separate town and not under Mokokchung Municipal Council. However the last two decades has seen the gradual expansion of the settlements...
are the largest. Mokokchung is particularly noted for its extravagant Christmas, New Year, Moatsu
Moatsü
The Moatsü Mong festival is celebrated by the Ao people of Nagaland, India.Moatsü is celebrated in the first week of May every year. Various rituals are performed during this period. The Aos observe Moatsü Mong after the sowing is done...
and Tsungremong celebrations. Its tradition of celebrating Christmas and New Year midnight celebrations in the main town square is regarded as one of the unique features of Mokokchung. Historically, Mokokchung was one of the first Naga Hills sites where the Assam Rifles, led by Britishers, established their outposts (then called stockades) in the later part of 19th century. Much of the town initially grew around this post located in the DC Hill. The British administration was then gradually extended eastwards towards the remoter parts of the Naga Hills.
Geography
Mokokchung has a mild climate throughout the year. For ten months of the year, maximum temperature hovers in the mid twenties.
Highways
Mokokchung's central location has helped it to be the converging point of maximum number of highways and hence it is better connected to most areas of Nagaland when compared to Kohima and Dimapur. Besides,every village and settlement of the district is well linked to the town by district and community roads.Major Highways passing through Mokokchung are:
-
- NH 61 (KohimaKohimaKohima is the hilly capital of India's north eastern border state of Nagaland which shares its borders with Burma. It lies in Kohima District and is also one of the three Nagaland towns with Municipal council status along with Dimapur and Mokokchung....
-WokhaWokhaWokha is a town and a town area committee in Wokha district in the Indian state of Nagaland.-Geography:Wokha is located at . It has an average elevation of 1313 metres .-Demographics:...
-Mokokchung-ChangtongyaChangtongyaChangtongya is a hilly town in Mokokchung district of Nagaland. Located around 40 km north of Mokokchung and 40 km south of Tuli, it lies midway between the two largest urban centres of the district. The town is located at an altitude of 954 metres above sea level...
-TuliTuliTuli is a village in the province of Matabeleland South, Zimbabwe. It is located about 90 km west of Beitbridge on the eastern bank of the Shashe River. The village grew around Fort Tuli which was the first settlement built by the Pioneer Column in July 1890 at the place known as Selous Camp...
-AmguriAmguriAmguri is a town and a Municipal area committee in the Sibsagar district in the state of Assam, India.It is famous for tea, oil field. It is a small town of sivasagar district. there is a higher secondary, a girs high school and a college in this town.-Geography:Amguri is located at . It has an...
) - NH 155 (PfutseroPfutseroPfutsero is a block headquarter in Phek district, Nagaland, India.It is the highest altitude town and the coldest inhabitate place in Nagaland with temperature drooping to below degree during the nights in winter. A small green town, is headed by an ADC. It is inhabited by mostly Khezhas and Chokris...
-KiphireKiphireKiphire is a small town, situated at an elevation of 896 m above sea level and is the headquarters of the newly formed Kiphire district, carved out of Tuensang district, in Nagaland, India. Kiphire is about 254 km from Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.It is the place where the Naga tribes of...
-TuensangTuensangTuensang [District Headquarter - Tuensang], the easternmost and the largest district of Nagaland bordering with Myanmar. The town was founded in 1947 for the purpose of administrating the erstwhile North Eastern Frontier Agency that comprised the present day Tuensang, Mon, Longleng and Kiphire...
-Mokokchung) - Mokokchung-Mariani Highway
- Mokokchung-Lumami-Zunheboto-Kohima Highway
- Mokokchung-Chare
- Mokokchung-Noksen
- NH 61 (Kohima
Demographics
India censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, the population under Mokokchung Municipal Council (excluding the colonies beyond Sungkomen Ward) had a population of 31,204. The actual population is 41,746 (including Yimyu ward which was incorporated into Mokokchung proper in 2003, i.e. after the last census in 2001). Its metropolitan agglomeration has a population of 60,161. Males constitute 55% of the population and females 45%. Mokokchung has the highest literacy rate in the state with an average literacy rate of 84%, far above the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 84%, and female literacy is 83%. 11% of the population is under 6 years of age.
The population is predominantly Ao, as the town is the heart and the cultural centre of the Aos.
Satellite towns (sub urban areas) of Mokokchung
Dimapur and Mokokchung are the only towns in Nagaland with a significant sub urban population. Mokokchung is the hub of Mokokchung Metropolitan AreaMokokchung Metropolitan Area
Mokokchung Metropolitan Area is a major urban agglomeration in Mokokchung district in the Indian state of Nagaland, with Mokokchung town as its main urban hub...
, a term which refers to the continuous settlements from Alichen in the south, through Mokokchung town up to Amenyong and Khensa in the North West; and from Mokokchung town through Fazl Ali College up to DEF colony in the North East.
The trend of sub urbanization in Mokokchung ( which had started in Western countries in the sixties) started in the eighties with the mushrooming of satellite towns like Yimyu and Marepkong. Today, the urban settlement has spilled outside the historical boundary of Mokokchung town. This trend has speeded up (since the late nineties) so much so that the erstwhile satellite town of Yimyu boomed and spread towards Mokokchung and became conjoined with it. Today it has become a ward of Mokokchung. As a result of this flight to the suburbs, population growth in Mokokchung town (the area under the municipality comprising the fifteen wards) has slowed down while the satellite towns are booming.
Besides, the following villages have been engulfed by the spiralling urban spread of Mokokchung and have acquired urban characteristics. In fact, though not part of the municipality, they have become very much a part of Mokokchung and are confused by many tourists as being localities of the town.
-
- Chuchuyimpang
- Mokokchung VillageMokokchung VillageMokokchung Village, a village in Mokokchung district is an ancient village in the former Naga Hills, Nagaland, India. According to the folklores, the Ao Nagas emerged from ‘six stones’. These stones symbolise their forefathers and that location is named as ‘Longterok’ which means six stones. These...
- Khensa
- UngmaUngmaUngma is a historic village situated 10 km south of the heart of Mokokchung town in India. Ungma is one of the most ancient Ao villages and of great tourist interest to view the folklore, customs and traditions of Ao Naga...
People are now living miles away from the main town in smaller suburbs as well as villages, who drive to work daily to the main town. This phenomenon is in sharp contrast to other towns in Nagaland like Kohima, Wokha and Zunheboto where an overwhelming majority of the population tend to be concentrated in the main town.
Population distribution of the metropolitan area
| Place | Status | Region | Population (2001 Census Figures) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kumlong | Urban (i.e. Ward) | West | 3,804 |
| Kichutip | Urban | West | 1,160 |
| Aongza | Urban | West | 2,361 |
| Yimyu Yimyu Yimyu is one of the 15 wards that make up Mokokchung town in India. It is an extensive area and forms the northwestern part of Mokokchung. Until 2003, Yimyu was a separate town and not under Mokokchung Municipal Council. However the last two decades has seen the gradual expansion of the settlements... |
Urban | North-West | 2,586 |
| Khensa | Village | North-West | 3,914 |
| Amenyong | Suburban | North-West | 632 |
| Alempang | Urban | North | 2,622 |
| Dilong | Urban | North | 1,712 |
| Sangtemla | Urban | Central | 2,721 |
| Arkong | Urban | Central | 2,546 |
| Salangtem | Urban | Central | 2,160 |
| Alongmen | Urban | Central | 2,200 |
| Tongdentsuyong | Urban | North-East | 1,746 |
| Sungkomen | Urban | North-East | 1,645 |
| Chuchuyimpang | Village | North-East | 3,438 |
| DEF & FAC Campus | Suburban | North-East | 924 |
| Majakong | Urban | East | 2,118 |
| Penli | Urban | East | 2,447 |
| Mokokchung Village Mokokchung Village Mokokchung Village, a village in Mokokchung district is an ancient village in the former Naga Hills, Nagaland, India. According to the folklores, the Ao Nagas emerged from ‘six stones’. These stones symbolise their forefathers and that location is named as ‘Longterok’ which means six stones. These... |
Village | East | 3,874 |
| Marepkong | Suburban | South | 1,170 |
| Ungma | Village | South | 7,189 |
| Aolijen | Suburban | South | 826 |
| Alichen | Suburban | South | 4,403 |
| Artang | Urban | South | 1,963 |
| TOTAL | 60,161 | ||
Religion
ChristianityChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
is the predominant religion of Mokokchung, with more than 95% of the population being Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
. The Aos were the first of the Nagaland peoples to embrace Christianity in the 19th century, and the area is the hub of India's Baptist belt. The revivalist movement that swept the entire state of Nagaland in the 1970s originated in Mokokchung District and Mokokchung was a major centre. Impur
Impur
Impur was established as a mission centre in 1890 by the American missionaries. In 1897, when the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang i.e. the Ao Baptist Churches Convention, was formed, it became its headquarter and continues to do so till date. It is 15 kilometres away from the heart of Mokokchung town....
, 15 kilometres away, is the centre of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang
Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang
Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang is the largest Baptist convention affiliated to the Nagaland Baptist Church Council, with over 125 full-fledged churches, 25 fellowships, and average weekly church attendance between 150,000 to 200,000.-History:The convention was formed in 1897 with Impur of India as...
(Ao Baptist Churches Convention). The main town Baptist church, located at the heart of the town, is one of the largest churches in Asia.
The other religions and faiths practiced in Mokokchung - mainly by immigrant business community from mainland India - are Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
, Sikhism
Sikhism
Sikhism is a monotheistic religion founded during the 15th century in the Punjab region, by Guru Nanak Dev and continued to progress with ten successive Sikh Gurus . It is the fifth-largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing...
and Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
.
Art and Culture
Mokokchung is the intellectual and cultural capital of NagalandNagaland
Nagaland is a state in the far north-eastern part of India. It borders the state of Assam to the west, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam to the north, Burma to the east and Manipur to the south. The state capital is Kohima, and the largest city is Dimapur...
. From the late 19th century, through the 20th century and continuing in the present times, the sons and daughters of Mokokchung have excelled and led the state in every field. Mokokchung is the home and venue of "Naga Idol", a talent search contest on the lines of "American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
". Naga Idol show holds the distinction of having garnered the highest TV viewership and record sales in Nagaland. It official website is http://www.nagaidol.com
Politics
Mokokchung has political importance in Nagaland. Apart from Mokokchung town constituency, parts of the town fall under three other state assembly constituencies—namely, Aonglenden and Mongoya—thus making the town the deciding factor in 3 of 60 assembly seats in the state legislature. Leaders from the town played a major role in brokering a deal with the Government of India at the height of the Indo-Naga conflict in the 1950s, resulting in the formation of Nagaland state as the 16th state of India in 1963.Over the last two decades, Mokokchung has become a stronghold of the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is one of the two major political parties in India, the other being the Bharatiya Janata Party. It is the largest and one of the oldest democratic political parties in the world. The party's modern liberal platform is largely considered center-left in the Indian...
party which can be partly attributed to the fact that the party was led by S. Chubatoshi Jamir whose constituency was Aonglenden. In the 2003 general Assembly elections, Indian National Congress won Aonglenden, Mongoya and Mokokchung town constituencies while Koridang constituency was won by an Independent candidate.
Important political leaders of Nagaland from Mokokchung:
- P. Shilu Ao, the first Chief Minister of Nagaland
- S. C. Jamir, the longest serving Chief Minister of Nagaland and the former Governor of the States of Goa and Maharastra
- Aliba Imti , a former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)and the first president of the Naga National Council (NNC)
- N. I. Jamir
- K. Asungba Sangtam, two time former Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
- C. Apok Jamir, former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) and the present Member of Legislative Assembly from Aonglenden constituency
- Supongmeren, present Member of Legislative Assembly from Mongoya constituency
- T.Sentichuba,Present Member of Legislative Assembly from Angetyongpang constituency
The following are the proposed distribution of wards of Mokokchung under Assembly constituencies as part of the delimitation process.http://www.tiryimyim.com/
- 25 Mongoya A/C
- 1. Majakong ward
- 2. Sungkomen ward
- 26 Aonglenden A/C
- 1. Penli ward
- 2. Artang ward
- 3. Marepkong ward
- 4. Sangtemla ward
- 5. Dilong ward
- 6. Arkong ward
- 27 Mokokchung town A/C
- 1. Salangtem ward
- 2. Kumlong ward
- 3. Aongza ward
- 4. Alempang ward
- 5. Alongmen ward
- 6. Tongdentsuyong ward
- 7. Yimyu Ward
- 8. Kichutip ward
The eighteen (Officially recognized) wards of Mokokchung
- Kumlong
- Aongza
- Penli
- Majakong
- Salangtem
- Sangtemla
- YimyuYimyuYimyu is one of the 15 wards that make up Mokokchung town in India. It is an extensive area and forms the northwestern part of Mokokchung. Until 2003, Yimyu was a separate town and not under Mokokchung Municipal Council. However the last two decades has seen the gradual expansion of the settlements...
- Alempang
- Sungkomen
- Kichutip
- Tongtentsuyong
- Artang
- Arkong
- DilongDilongDilong Ward is one of the sixteen wards of Mokokchung town. It is located in the lower slope of the town and forms the Northern part of Mokokchung....
- Alongmen
- Marepkong
- Lijabalijen
- Mongsenbai
Major Churches
- Mokokchung Town Ao Baptist Arogo (Mokokchung town Ao Baptist Church)
- Kumlong Baptist Arogo
- Sungkomen Baptist Arogo
- Alempang Baptist Arogo
- Ongpangkong Baptist Arogo
- Phom Baptist Church
- Christian Evangelical Church
- Nepali Baptist Church
- Queen Mary's Cathedral
- Mokokchung Pentecostal Church
- Sema Baptist Church
- Sema Revival Church
- Tenyidie Baptist Church
- Chang Baptist Church
- Police Church
Attractions
Mokokchung has handful of attractions. One of the most popular attractions includes the Mokokchung District museum in the Arts and Cultural Complex. The museum display exhibits various artifacts of Ao Naga tribe such as swords, shield, shawl, clothing, traditional jewelry, accessories and more. Another popular attraction of the town is the Town main park, which is located just above the Town Center. The park features a soccer ground and a watch tower.Sports
Soccer, basket ball and cricket are the most popular sports in Mokokchung other sports include's snooker, famous snooker players are moa, imti among others. The town has two basketball courts, two soccer fields and one cricket field.Events
Mokokchung host various events and concerts round the year, but the two most popular events are the MTFA, which is a district level soccer tournament. Various soccer clubs from across the district compete in this tournament for name, fame and money. The other even is the Midnight Service, which takes place every year on New Year's Eve. The whole town gather at the Town main center and welcome the new year with much celebrations. The Midnight Service features live bands, mostly local rock bands, comedy shows and fireworks.Media
- The Nokinketer
- Mokokchung Channel
- All India Radio, Mokokchung
- Ao Milen (daily newspaper in Ao language)
- [Tir Yimyim]http://www.tiryimyim.com/
The various satellite cable TV network provider also runs local channels of their own.
Higher Secondary and High Schools
- Ladybird school
- Mayangnokcha Higher Secondary School
- Queen Mary's School
- Nivukhu high school, majakong
- Edith Douglas Higher Secondary SchoolEdith Douglas Higher Secondary SchoolEdith Douglas Higher Secondary School was estated in the year 1973. It is one of the pioneer private schools in the town. It is situated in Salangtem Ward, just on the banks of the Milak river. The administrator Rev. A.D.Jesudas, who married an Ao lady, started the school. It was started with funds...
- Assam Rifles High School(Affiliated to CBSE), 30 Assam Rifles
- Jubilee Memorial School
- Model Higher Secondary School
- Imsutemjen Memorial School
- Town K.G. School
- Children's High School
- Canaan Christian School
- Government High School, Dilong
- Hill View School
Universities and Colleges
- Fazl Ali CollegeFazl Ali CollegeFazl Ali College is the premier higher educational institution in Mokokchung, Nagaland. The oldest college in Nagaland, it was inaugurated on 8 September 1959 with Sarwan as Principal.- Overview :...
- People's College
- Mokokchung Law College
- Institute of Communication and Information Technology
- Nagaland University, Lumami (less than 20 km away from Mokokchung)
- Clark Theological College, Alichen
External links
- http://www.mokokchung.nic.in/index.html
- http://www.tiryimyim.com
- http://www.nagaland.nic.in
- http://www.nagaidol.com