Pochury Tribe

Introduction

The Pochury are a smaller Naga tribe living in the eastern part of Phek district, near the border with Manipur and Myanmar. The name 'Pochury' is itself an acronym for the three principal subgroups — Kupo, Kuche and Khuri — that together form the tribe.

Pochury culture is distinct from that of the Chakhesang despite the geographical proximity, with its own language, festivals and traditions.

History & Origins

Pochury oral history traces the tribe's origins to a common ancestor and migration from the east. The community was officially recognised as a separate Naga tribe in 1991. Christianity reached the Pochury in the early twentieth century.

District & Location

The Pochury live in the eastern part of Phek district, with the town of Meluri as their cultural and administrative centre. The drive from Kohima takes around five to six hours.

Important Villages

Meluri, Phor, Lephori and Akhegwo are among the principal Pochury villages.

Traditional Attire

Pochury men wear a black kilt with a richly patterned ceremonial shawl. Women wear wraparound skirts with bold bands of red, black and white. Both men and women wear bead necklaces and brass ornaments.

Morung & Architecture

Pochury villages are built on hilltops with houses of timber and bamboo. The morung tradition has largely faded but the architecture is preserved at Kisama during the Hornbill Festival.

Culture & Lifestyle

Pochury society is organised around clans and led by village councils. Jhum cultivation is the principal form of agriculture.

Festivals & Celebrations

Yemshe, celebrated in early October, is the most important Pochury festival. It marks the harvest of the early rice crop and is a celebration of community and thanksgiving.

Food & Cuisine

Pochury cuisine features smoked pork, bamboo shoot, foraged greens and a wide range of chillies. Meluri is famous for its salt-making tradition, with salt extracted from local brine springs.

Arts, Music & Dance

Pochury folk songs are sung in harmony, and traditional dances are performed at festivals. The salt-making tradition is itself a cultural art form, with techniques passed down through generations.

Role During Hornbill Festival

The Pochury morung at Kisama is one of the smaller but more interesting stops, with displays of salt-making tools and traditional crafts.

Travel Information

The Pochury homeland in eastern Phek district is reached most easily by road from Kohima or Dimapur. Most travellers fly into Dimapur (DMU), the only commercial airport in Nagaland, and continue by shared sumo or private vehicle. The drive from Dimapur to Kohima takes around two and a half to three hours; onward travel to the Pochury districts varies from a couple of hours to a full day depending on the village.

Permits are essential. Indian travellers need an Inner Line Permit (ILP), which can be issued online or at entry points in Dimapur and Kohima. Foreign travellers need a Protected Area Permit (PAP) and must register at the Foreigners' Registration Office on arrival. We handle both as part of any booking.

October to April is the most comfortable window to visit. December is festival season — roads are busier, stays book out months in advance, and temperatures in the hills drop sharply at night. Carry layers, sturdy shoes for village walks, and a power bank; electricity in remote villages can be intermittent.

Accommodation Options

Stays in Pochury country range from simple village homestays run by local families to mid-range guesthouses in the district headquarters. Kohima itself offers a wider choice — from deluxe properties like The Heritage and Razhü Pru to comfortable standard hotels closer to Kisama.

For a more immersive experience, we recommend at least one night in a traditional homestay. You'll share meals cooked over a wood fire, hear stories from elders, and wake to the sounds of a working Naga village. Most homestays are basic but spotlessly clean, with shared bathrooms and warm bedding.

During the Hornbill Festival (1–10 December), rooms in and around Kohima fill up by September. Booking early matters more than booking expensive — we'll suggest the right fit based on your dates, budget and how close to Kisama you want to be.

Gallery

Photographs from Meluri and surrounding Pochury villages.