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{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Khezhakeno
| native_name = Kozabomi
| native_name_lang =
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Village
| image_skyline =
| image_alt =
| image_caption =
| pushpin_map = India Nagaland# India
| pushpin_label_position = left
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Nagaland, India
| coordinates = {{coord|25|30|51|N|94|12|30|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Nagaland]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Phek district|Phek]]
| established_title = 
| established_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| area_footnotes =
| area_rank =
| area_total_km2 =
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 1660
| population_total = 3810
| population_as_of = Census 2011
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Local
| demographics1_info1 = [[Khezha]] (Chakhesang)
| postal_code_type = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code = 797107
| blank1_info_sec1 = {{Convert|0|km|mi}}
| footnotes =
}}
'''Khezhakeno''' is a village in the [[Phek District]] of [[Nagaland]], [[India]]. It is a historical village of the [[Naga people|Nagas]]. It is located in the region 25.30°N 94.12°E at an elevation of 1660 meters above sea level and shares its border with the [[Manipur]] state in the south. The village is 48 km from the state capital [[Kohima]] via NEC ''Viswema-Kidima-Zuketsa'' road and is 23 km away from its Sub-divisional headquarter [[Pfutsero]]. It falls under the Administrative Circle of Khezhakeno HQ headed by an Extra Assistant Commissioner.

The village is inhabited by [[Khezha]] people belonging to a sub-tribe of [[Chakhesang Naga]]. Its natives, however, refer to the village and themselves as ''Kozabomi'', meaning ''‘the native people of Koza’'', which is derived from their chief’s name ''‘Koza’'', who founded the village.

==History==

Khezhakeno, also mentioned as ''Kezakenoma'' <ref name= "The Angami Nagas">[https://www.archive.org/stream/angaminagaswiths00huttuoft#page/n47/mode/2up "Hutton, J.H., 1921 (1969), p-15, 19, The Angami Nagas"]</ref> or ''Khezakenoma''<ref name="Mills, J.P 1982">Mills, J.P. 1937 (1982), p-11, The Rengma Nagas</ref> by some authors, was initially home to many [[Naga people|Naga tribes]] until the dispersal of these tribes to different places. According to the history of Naga migration,<ref>Ao, M. Alemchiba, 1970, p-20, A brief historical account of Nagaland, Naga Institute of culture, Kohima</ref><ref>Nagaland Board of School Education, 1994, Nagaland (for standard IX & X)</ref> a particular wave of Naga tribes on crossing [[Burma]] (Myanmar), wandered through the valley of [[Imphal]], [[Manipur]], then moved northward and finally settled at the present site of Khezhakeno, [[Nagaland]]. This group stayed in and around Khezhakeno for a considerable period of time and finally dispersed to different regions for further settlement. Some Naga tribes that are known to have dispersed from Khezhakeno are [[Angami Naga|Angami]],<ref name="The Angami Nagas" /> [[Chakhesang Naga|Chakhesang]], [[Lotha Naga|Lotha]],<ref>Ghosh, B.B., 1982, p-49 to p-55, History of Nagas</ref> [[Sumi Naga|Sumi]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/semanaga00hutt#page/n37/mode/2up| title= Hutton, J.H., 1921 (1968), p-5, The Sema Nagas}}</ref> [[Rengma Naga|Rengma]]<ref name="Mills, J.P 1982"/> and numerous other clans.

=== The legend of final migration and settlement ===
Traditional folklore <ref>Zehol, Dr. Lucy, 1998, p-57, Ethnicity in Manipur: Experiences, Issues, and Perspectives</ref> as handed down from the ancestors speaks of the migrating group that on reaching a place (now a site where a grand wild pear tree exists at Shajouba hill, near [[Tadubi]], [[Manipur]]), they halted and sought for a divine intervention for their onward journey. As a result, the chief, accordingly thrust his walking stick into the ground for signs. Thereupon, the stick tilted toward the north-east direction and soon swallows began to hover over them before taking off toward the direction to where the stick pointed. The group followed the birds until it stopped and hovered over at a place (Khezhakeno) where a ''large-flat stone'' laid. All these signs and experiences convinced them of some divine guidance and sensing the land being highly suitable for wet cultivation and as well as for living, the group eventually settled at the site.

Here, they experienced many supernatural activities especially when before their very eyes they saw a frog with a stalk of paddy on its mouth hopped onto the ''large-flat stone'' and left it behind. Later on to their amazement the paddy was found to have increased to twofold. This ''large-flat stone'', also popularly known as ''Tso Tawo'' or "the Spirit Stone",<ref name="Ganguli">Ganguli, Milada, p-32, 33, A pilgrimage to the Nagas</ref> continued to play an important role in the livelihood of the early settlers as it was believed to have doubled the rice paddies at the end of the day when laid on it for drying in the sun. Although, its charm is said to have gone as it was burned and destroyed due to a disagreement that arose as to who should take turn to dry paddy, the remnants of this legendary Khezhakeno stone <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.archive.org/stream/angaminagaswiths00huttuoft#page/n53/mode/2up|title= The Khezhakeno stone, (Image p-18,19) The Angami Nagas}}</ref> is still preserved in its original location even today.

=== The expansion of the village ===
Since the settlement, the village grew and became more populated which resulted in the emergence of six more villages around Khezhakeno (Kozabomi),<ref name="Ganguli" /><ref>The Legendary Naga Village: A Reader (Khezhakeno), P-99, Lucy & Kevekha Kevin Zehol,</ref> namely; (1) Tephfulo, (2) Mobvolo (Movolomi),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/104/10/1341.pdf| title= "Movolomi", A reconstruction based on archaeobotanical evidence and radiocarbon dates}}</ref> (3) Chichülomi, (4) Phfulo (Pfulomi), (5) Latsholo and (6) Chilhuomi (Chilomi). In due course of time, some of the villages got relocated to other region while some part conglomerated back to the original parent village.

==Demography==
As per the Population Census of India 2011,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/village/267883-khezakeno-village-nagaland.html|title=Census2011, Khezhakeno village Data}}</ref> the village with a total of 606 household has a population of 3281 persons of which 1643 are males and 1638 are females. The average Sex Ratio is 997 which is higher than Nagaland state average of 931 and the Child Sex Ratio is 980.

The literacy rate of the village is 76.30%, where Male literacy is at 84.77% and female literacy rate at 67.83%.

==Tourism==
The village today has become a favourable destination for local tourists for its historical significance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/khezhakeno-village-the-ancestral-home-of-the-nagas/185324.html|title=Some important historical sites of Khezhakeno, Nagaland Post}}</ref> and as well as for its natural beauty such as the [[Loho Lake]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tourismnagaland.com/?folio=phek|title=Chida Lake (Lowho), Nagaland Tourism}}</ref> The Village, with the initiative from the Government of Nagaland, has a tourist bungalow and under the Ministry of Culture, a Tribal Museum <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nagalandpost.com/tribal-museum-inaugurated/197497.html|title=Tribal Museum inaugurated at Chida, Khezhakeno.}}</ref> at Chida where the rich cultural and traditional artefacts of Chakhesang and the Nagas in general have been showcased.

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/lazami-khezhakeno-erect-monolith-to-uphold-brotherhood-bond/ Khezhakeno-Lazami brotherhood 2014]
* [http://morungexpress.com/khezhakeno-lazami-villages-reaffirm-brotherhood/ Khezhakeno-Lazami brotherhood reaffirmed 2016]
* [http://www.ucnews.in/news/901-4484067423725587/89-yrs-old-naga-traditional-treaty-renewed.html/ 89 yrs old Naga traditional treaty renewed Khezhakeno and Zhobumai 2016]
* [http://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/hornbill-riders-meet-flagged-off-in-kohima/ Hornbill riders camp at Khezhakeno]
*[http://www.nagalandpost.com/khezhakeno-village-the-ancestral-home-of-the-nagas/185324.html Some Important Historical Sites. The Ancestral Home of the Nagas.]
*[https://www.easternmirrornagaland.com/kezhakeno-hosts-first-peoples-festival/ People's Festival at Khezhakeno (easternmirror)]

[[Category:Villages in Phek district]]

Khezhakeno - Revision history

>SdkbBot at 13:03, 3 July 2021