| caption: |
visit to Ungr and Chuchu Yimlang |
| caption: |
log drum and gate at Ungr |
| text: |
At Ungr, an old village gate is standing by the log drum. On one side four large rings are cut in the wood and on the back two horns spring out of a thick wooden base. The latter contains a hole for a bolt and the horns are perhaps intended for strengthening the plank. Unlike Angamis the Aos seem to have regarded their gates merely as a part of their defences and there is no tradition of gate worship. In raiding days, all gates were shut at night, sentries were posted and a gate was opened only if a late comer could satisfy the guard of his identity. At Ungr no one could say for certain what the design portrays but I was told that the rings were possibly 'tiger's eyes' and the horns 'might be the horns of a snail'. |
