Geography
Mokokchung district covers an area of 1,615 km². The district headquarter which is called Mokokchung Town is at a distance of approximately 145 km from the State capital Kohima. The physiography of the district shows six distinct hill ranges. The ranges are approximately parallel to each other and are aligned roughly north-east/south-west. These hill ranges are Ongpangkong, Asetkong, Jangpetkong Japukong Langpangkong Tsurangkong. The district lies between 94.29 and 94.76 degrees east longitude and 26.20 and 26.77 degrees north latitude. The entire district of Mokokchung is conveniently sub-divided into ranges. The main valleys are Tsurang, Changki and Milak Valleys. The district is agriculturally and industrially among the most progressive districts in the state, besides Dimapur and Kohima. Major agricultural regions are Changki-Longnak, Tsurang, Milak and Dikhu valley regions. Tuli-Milak region and Changki-Longnak valley are the major industrial areas.
Education
District’s literacy rate of 84.6% (2001 census) was the highest in the state and one of the highest in the entire country. The district has been declared a fully literate district in 2007, to become Nagaland’s first 100 percent literate district. With 1004 females for every 1000 males, it has the 7th healthiest sex ratio among the 538 districts of India in the 0-6 age group population (2001 census).
People
Mokokchung is a district in the state of Nagaland, India which is the homeland of a Naga tribe called the Ao. The Aos are one of the major tribes among the Nagas. The native language of the Aos are Chungli (the main dialogue) followed by Mongsen dialogue and Changki dialogue. Almost similar to Changki dialogue is spoken in Quite a few surrounding villages. The folklore says that the Ao Nagas wandered from Mongolia through South-East Asia to present Nagaland centuries ago.
In the 19th century (1870s), after the arrival of Christian missionaries in India, the Aos were the first amongst the Naga tribes to embrace Christianity. As on date, approximately 98% of the Ao population are Christians, the majority being Baptist. from the forefathers time, Horticulture, Agriculture and Forestry were the main occupations of the Aos. Even at the moment most of the people in the villages still continue to practice these occupations. Like most Naga tribes, the folks in the village mainly practice a type of agriculture called Jhum cultivation. The Jhum cultivation is a method of agriculture where the jungles are cleared and the dried remains are burnt and seeds are sowed.
Art & Culture
Mokokchung is the intellectual and cultural capital of Nagaland and is called as the Land of Pioneers. From the late 19th century through the 20th century and continuing in the present times, the sons and daughters of Mokokchung have surpassed and led the state in every field. Mokokchung is the home and venue of “Naga Idol”, a talent search contest on the lines of “American Idol”. Naga Idol show holds the distinction of having garnered the highest TV viewership and record sales in Nagaland.