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Nagaland · Phek · Chakhesang Naga

Khezhakeno

The village several Naga tribes name as their dispersal point — home of the legendary Tso-Tawo stone.

A Chakhesang Naga couple in traditional dress
Representative image: a Chakhesang Naga couple, the community of Khezhakeno. — Wikimedia Commons contributor, CC BY-SA 4.0 source

Overview

Khezhakeno sits on the Nagaland–Manipur border in Phek district and is widely regarded as the ancestral dispersal point from which the Angami, Chakhesang, Sumi, Rengma, Lotha and Pochury are said to have moved to their present homelands.[1],[2]

Its best-known landmark is the Tso-Tawo, a megalith of folklore said to have doubled the paddy spread on it to dry overnight — a story quarrels over which, in the telling, triggered the great dispersal.[1],[2]

History

Oral traditions across several Naga tribes place their origin migration at Khezhakeno, making it one of the most-cited heritage sites in the state's tourism literature.[1],[2],[3]

Culture & cultural significance

The village is Chakhesang, in the Chokri-speaking belt; Chakhesang festivals such as Tsükhenye are observed in the wider area.[1],[3]

Festivals

  • Tsükhenye

    Late January

    Chakhesang festival observed across the Chokri area; village-level dates vary.

Lifestyle, cuisine & handicrafts

Cuisine

  • Chakhesang smoked meat
  • Millet and job's-tears preparations
  • Fermented bamboo shoot
  • Local rice beer

Handicrafts

  • Chakhesang loin-loom shawls
  • Bamboo craft
  • Pottery in the wider Phek belt

Things to do

  • Visit the Tso-Tawo stone and hear the origin narrative from a village guide
  • Stay at Chida Resort near the village
  • Drive the Viswema–Kidima–Zuketsa road with valley viewpoints

How to reach

By air
Dimapur (DMU), ~170 km.
By rail
Dimapur (DMV).
By road
About 48 km from Kohima via the Viswema–Kidima–Zuketsa road; roughly 23 km from Pfütsero.

Best time to visit: October to April.

Nearby attractions & villages

  • Pfütsero

    23 km — Nagaland's highest town.

  • Chizami

    Chakhesang weaving village in the same district.

  • Dzükou Valley

    Reached from Viswema on the Kohima side.

Related villages

Responsible travel guidelines

  • The Tso-Tawo is a heritage stone, not a photo prop — do not climb or sit on it.
  • Ask the village council before filming origin-site narrations.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Khezhakeno important to Naga history?
Oral traditions of the Angami, Chakhesang, Sumi, Rengma, Lotha and Pochury identify Khezhakeno as the point from which their ancestors dispersed to their present areas.[1],[2]
What is the Tso-Tawo stone?
A megalith in the village that folklore says doubled the paddy dried on it overnight; the dispute over its use is told as the cause of the great dispersal.[1],[2]

Sources

  1. [1]Wikipedia — Khezhakeno
  2. [2]Tourism Department, Government of Nagaland — Khezhakeno village and Chida Resort
  3. [3]Northeast India Connect — Khezhakeno village

Facts on this page are cross-checked against tier-1 (Government of India), tier-2 (state government & tourism boards) and tier-3 (district administration, official festival organisers) sources. Wikipedia is used as a tie-breaker only. Where sources disagree, the page states the ambiguity rather than picking a side.

Last verified 2026-07-29. Facts on this page were confirmed against tier-1/2 sources on that date.

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