What to Wear in Kohima
Kohima is never hot, and at night it is often cold. Pack for cool air, steep streets and rain, and bring a proper warm layer if you are coming for Hornbill in December.
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The weather decides most of it
Kohima sits high on its ridges, so even sunny days feel cool in the shade. From December to February, nights are cold, and many rooms have little or no heating. Bring a warm jacket, a fleece or thick jumper, and something for your head. From May to September the rain sets in, so pack a good rain jacket, quick-drying clothes and shoes that grip on wet stone. Spring and autumn are the easiest months: a light jacket over a T-shirt usually does.
Streets, steps and trails
The town is built on slopes, and many lanes are really stairways. Walking shoes with a firm grip are more useful than anything smart. For Dzukou Valley you need proper trail shoes, a warm layer for the night, and a rain shell whatever the season. Nights in the valley are colder than in town.
Church, cemetery and village
Kohima is relaxed about dress, but neat clothes are expected at church and at the war cemetery. In the villages, dress simply and keep shoulders covered if you are invited into a home or a church. On Sundays, many locals dress up for church, and you will blend in better in clean, plain clothes.
Naga shawls
Every Naga tribe weaves its own shawls, and patterns often differ by clan, age and status. Some designs were once earned through deeds, and a few are still reserved for particular people. Buying a shawl is welcome, and it makes a good gift or a warm wrap. Ask the seller what a pattern means before you wear it, and choose a general design if you are unsure. You will find shawls in craft and handloom shops in town and at the craft stalls at Kisama during Hornbill.
Ceremonial dress
The full regalia worn at festivals, with feathered headgear, beadwork and cane ornaments, belongs to its tribe and its wearers. Admire it and photograph it with permission, but do not treat it as a costume to try on for a photo.
Hornbill in December
The festival ground at Kisama is open to the wind, and evenings get cold quickly. Wear layers you can add and remove, and carry a hat and gloves for the evening.
Questions
Kohima — FAQ
How cold is Kohima during the Hornbill Festival?
Days in early December are usually cool and bright, but evenings and nights are cold. Bring a warm jacket, a hat and gloves, especially if you stay at Kisama into the evening.
Can tourists wear a Naga shawl?
Yes, buying and wearing a shawl is welcome. Ask the seller what the pattern means, because some designs mark status or achievement. Pick a general pattern if you are unsure.
What shoes do I need for Dzukou Valley?
Trail shoes or light boots with a good grip. Both routes have long stretches of steep stone steps, and they are slippery after rain.
Do I need rain gear for Kohima in summer?
Yes, from May onwards. Pack a rain jacket and quick-drying clothes. An umbrella helps in town, but it is little use on a trail.