Jill Gocher – The Last of the Headhunters
The Last of the Headhunters, photographs by Jill Gocher
Jill Gocher, a Bali based international photographer, has spent her life exploring and enjoying Asian cultures. Her work has appeared in National Geographic, Time, International Herald Tribune, Asia Spa, Discovery, Silver Kris and many more. Her books – Asia’s legendary Hotels, Periplus, Bali- Island of Light – Marshall Cavendish, Indonesia – Islands of the Imagination. Periplus, Australia – the land down under – Times Editions, Singapore, Indonesia – the last paradise – Times Editions. She has held exhibitions in Singapore, Kathmandu, and Bali. Photojournalist + Media Consultant, AmazonPage: www.amazon.com/author/jillgocher www.jillgocher.com instagram jillgocher
Way up in the furthest reaches of North east India, bordering Myanmar lies Nagaland, home to what were once fearsome headhunters. The most fearsome were the Konyak scattered around in small communities near the town ship of Mon. Even today, some of these men, already in their 70’s and 80‘s look extremely fiercesome and takes but a small stretch to imagine them in mortal combat with their enemies. These tattooed men have not been hunting heads since the 70’s and now, sadly, their days are numbered as they fall prey to old age and the pipe.

Wang Cha is 77 and has also seen his life change. Like the other elders, he spends much of his time with the pipe and sitting discussing earlier times.
© Jill Gocher