Taken in May of 2017 in Khonoma Village

Wealthy villagers in Nagaland earn merit by constructing circular stages like this one on which festival activities can be conducted. (Or, during non-festival times, grain can be put out to dry as per this photo.)  I put “Town Square” in quotes because they are neither square in shape nor are they solitary centrally-located public spaces. Rather there can be several of them– as there are in Khonoma, a village near Kohima — at various locations in and around the village. The little cubic pillars are seats, some of which may be assigned to prominent individuals and others are open seating.

The basket put upside-down on the pillar is typical of the region, and is worn with the band across one’s forehead.

The building in the back is also a public building constructed by a prominent villager.