le massif skiing HEAD HUNTERS Throughout northeastern India and parts of western Myanmar the Naga tribes were long fe

(http://tripura.nic.in/museum/welcome.html; Post Offi ce Circle; admission 2; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat) has a variety of tribal displays plus some interesting musical instruments made from bamboo. The new Tripura State Tribal Museum (Lake Chowmuhani; admission free; h10am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Sat) has further displays of tribal le massif skiing dress.

HEAD HUNTERS Throughout northeastern India and parts of western Myanmar the Naga tribes were long feared for their ferocity in war and for their sense of independence both from each other and from the rest of the world. Intervillage wars continued as recently as the 1980s, le massif skiing and a curious feature of many outwardly modern settlements is their treaty stones recording peace settlements between neighbouring le massif skiing communities. It was the Naga s custom of headhunting that sent shivers down the spines of neighbouring peoples. le massif skiing The taking of an enemy s head was considered a sign of strength, and a man who had not claimed a head was not considered a man. Fortunately for tourists, headhunting was officially outlawed in 1935, with the last recorded occurrence in 1963. Nonetheless, severed heads are still an archetypal artistic motif found notably on yanra (pendants) that originally denoted the number of human heads a warrior had taken. Some villages, such as Shingha Changyuo in Mon district, still retain their hidden collection of genuine skulls. Today Naga culture is changing fast, but it was not a government ban on headhunting that put an end to this tradition but rather the activities of Christian missionaries. Over 90% of the Naga now consider themselves Christian.

Bansbari Lodge (%3612602223; www.assam bengalnavigation.com/bansbari.htm; d 2000, jungle package 7500). Jungle le massif skiing packages cover full board, early morning elephant le massif skiing safari, jeep safari, guide, park entry fee and village and tea garden excursions. Ask about river rafting. Contact le massif skiing Jungle Travels India in Guwahati (p 560 ) for bookings. Access is from Barpeta Rd.