Portrait of Chingmak, chief of Chingmei

B&W photographic print. 'Chingmak, chief of Chingmei, walked many days from his village in unadministered territory to meet Mills and Mokokchung, and Mills received him with the honour due to his status as a chief. They became firm friends, and as a result this powerful chief ensured the safety...

Full description


Date(s) of creation: 1920s
Level: Item
Format: Archive           
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
URL: http://digital.soas.ac.uk/LOAA004669
URL Description: Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections

Summary: B&W photographic print. 'Chingmak, chief of Chingmei, walked many days from his village in unadministered territory to meet Mills and Mokokchung, and Mills received him with the honour due to his status as a chief. They became firm friends, and as a result this powerful chief ensured the safety of Mills and his party during the punitive expedition against the feared village of Pangsha in 1936 (c.f. The Pangsha Letters, published 1995 by the Pitt Rivers Museum), in which also Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf took part (c.f. The Naked Nagas, published in 1929). Chingmak wears on his chest a brass head, signifying his success as a head-hunter. His cane hat is decorated with a long tassel of human hair. The photograph was taken in the garden of Mill's bungalow at Mokokchung, where many visitor used to come along.'
Main author: Mills; James Philip (1890-1960); colonial administrator and anthropologist
Extent: 1 photograph
Note: Kings, queens, rulers, etc.
Naga (South Asian people)
Ethnic group: Naga
Ethnic group: Chang Naga
The Chang Naga are alternatively known as the Changhai Naga, the Changru Naga, the Duenching Naga, the Mazung Naga, the Machungrr Naga, the Mojung Naga, and the Mochumi Naga
Access status: Open
Copyright: Copyright held by J.P. Mills
Language: No linguistic content
Scripts: Unwritten
Physical description: 9.5 x 7 cm
Copies: Digital version available online at SOAS Digital Collections
Format: Archive