Viswema

The history of Viswema, according to oral history begins with the founding of Kipizwü, some two km west of the village by Viswe. Viswe was a descendant of Keyho.

The ancestors lived there for several generations till the invasion of the Burmese-Karens, who were known to Viswe–miko as Kherenümi. The defeat inflicted on the Burmese invaders gave a sense of confidence and Viswe–mi became more assertive and grew in great numbers. They began to move out in search of suitable environment for permanent settlement. They therefore came down to the present site of the village.[2]

In the past Viswema was known for making fine pottery ware. For any function and rituals earthen pots were purchased from Viswema by neighboring communities.[3]

Invasion of the Manipuri armies

The Manipuris invaded Viswema twice, but could not succeed in subduing it. However, after the end of the Anglo-Naga war in 1879 the British occupied Kohima and setup a military post and built strong barricade around the station with armed police. But the garrison was besieged by Naga warriors. Meantime the British sought help from the Manipuri Raja. The Manipuri Raja Chandrakirti Singh led around a thousand of his army and rushed to Kohima and after a brief engagement with the Naga warriors lifted the sieged and saved the British.

The Manipuri Army went on a rampage and captured a Kohima boy and buried him alive in the heart of the town. They covered the grave with a huge stone on which the foot print of the Manipuri Raja was engraved. This stone was removed by the Naga Youth Movement leaders in 1956.

At the time of the Manipuri army withdrawal from Kohima, the Viswe–miko left their village and hid their food grains in trenches and waited for their return from Kohima. When the Manipuris arrived and finding none set the village ablaze and proceeded homewards. Viswema warriors then attacked them from the rear, throwing them in confusion and disorder. Many were killed and their arms looted, while the rest fled to their country.[2]

World War II

When the Japanese and INA soldiers entered Naga Hills in early April 1944, many of them stayed at the outskirt of the village. They dug trenches and built strong bunkers everywhere in the vicinity of the village. Since the Allies operation against Japanese occupation of Kohima, Viswema was continuously hit by explosive missiles which were fired by cannons from Kohima and later on from Kigwema as launching pads. Many people were killed and injured. On 10 June 1944, a message from the Allies sources was conveyed to the village elders telling them to evacuate their village. The village was evacuated the next day. Bombings on 14 June continued till the village which had more than 600 houses at that time was completely razed to the ground. The same evening the Japanese forces at Viswema retreated to the route by which they had entered Naga Hills two months back. Viswema was then taken over by the Allies.[2]

2010 Mao Gate Incident

On 5 May 2010, Thuingaleng Muivah the present General Secretary of the NSCN-IM arrived at Viswema on his way to his home village of Somdal in Ukhrul district, Manipur which was strongly opposed by the Manipur government. Muivah stayed overnight at Viswema which was nearby on the inter-state border.[4] The next day thousands gathered at Mao Gate to protest against the Manipur State Government's decision to prevent the entry of Muivah into Manipur but however violence broke out between the civilians and security forces stationed at the Manipur-Nagaland border. On that fateful day, two students were killed in indiscriminate firing by security forces of Manipur. Scores were injured.

The Jakhama boundary on the north is marked by a river known as Kerho–l and on the south, the Khuzama boundary is marked by another river known as Chokhwi–l or Kezo–l. Both the river flows in parallel direction to meet at the Dzü-ü river which later flows into the biggest river in Nagaland—the Doyang in Wokha District.

Mount Tempü, the highest peak in Viswema (also the highest peak in the present day state of Manipur) with an altitude of 2,994 m (9,823 ft) above sea level,[5] the highest elevation of the surrounding area is located to the south western part of Viswema. Its summit can be reached easily by the Khiyoke route.

On the western side is the Dzüko Valley which includes a range of hillocks, the valley is drained by the Dzüko River which flows in a westerly direction forming the present day inter-state boundary between Nagaland and Manipur. On its west side, the Dzüko valley is flanked by the thick wooded Kezol–tsa forest which has diverse species of flora and fauna.

Viswema has warm summers and cool dry winters. Snow falls occasionally on higher altitudes.

Apart from the major religious festivals like Christmas, Easter, etc. the village also celebrates several local festivals.

• Te–l Khukhu

Te–l Khukhu is a festival that falls on 13 July (Chünyi). It is a time of giving and sharing of food with each other. This is the only festival dedicated for girls. Come July and the young damsels are abuzz with preparations for the Te–l Khukhu festival. They start collecting wild flowers in advance to decorate the particular Chokrwu (eaves at the entrance of a house) they decide on. The most common flowers are Khwüso Pü (Ginger lily, Hedychium aurantiacum wall), Phakü Pü (Rock butterfly lily, Hedychium ellepticum Buch), Terü su and Tsakoshe Pitha Nü (Tender Maize). Gone were the days when different animistic rituals were performed but with the advent of Christianity the rituals were no longer performed. Today it is celebrated as a time of get-togetherness and sharing the little you have with your dear and near ones.[7][8]

• Dzüko Valley

The main entry to Dzüko Valley is from Viswema where one can travel to the rest house above Teyozwü by a Tata Sumo taxi. From here one has to climb forty minutes to the top of the mountain. This is where Dzüko starts but the main valley is still another two hours walk away.

• Mount Tempü

This is the highest peak in Viswema situated at an altitude of 2994m above sea level. The best time to visit this peak is during the snow covered winter months.

• Teyozwü

This is a hill located between Viswema and the Dzüko valley.

• Hope garden

This is a garden located above Viswema on the way to Dzüko valley. It is also a part family burial ground of a Zheri–mi clan.

• Zawo or commonly known as Galho among the Angamis is also a popular dish in Viswema. It is a mix dish made of rice, vegetables and various meats.
• Mesü is pork or beef cooked with its blood. It is a common cuisine among the Tenyimis but the Mesü of Viswema is considered to be the best.

Some portion of the 2005 film Were I the Moon? The Legend of Sopfünuo was filmed in Viswema.[9]

Viswema is headed by the chairman of the Viswema Village Council. The council does not only represent the citizens of Viswema but every citizens of Viswe–mi residing in and outside Viswema. The council is responsible for customary practices, public safety, welfare services, etc. The chairman and council members are elected to five-year term. The term for the chairman and council members lasts five years and only has a one term limit.

Viswema falls under Southern Angami–II Assembly Constituency of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.

Notable political leaders

• Vizol Angami (1914–2008), Chief Minister of Nagaland (1974–1975; 1977–1980).
• Vizadel Sakhrie (1943–1995), former Minister of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
• Zale Neikha, present Member of Legislative Assembly from Southern Angami-II constituency.
• K. Viswesül Pusa (1954–2017), former Minister and Veteran Congress leader.
• Zaku Zachariah Tsükrü (1947–2017), former Vice President of the Naga People's Front
• Kropol Vitsu (b. 1964), former Member of Legislative Assembly from Southern Angami-II constituency.

The nearest airport is Dimapur Airport at Dimapur near the Assam border about 96 kilometres (60 miles) away. The airport serves domestic flights to and from the country.

The Bir Tikendrajit International Airport is located about 120 kilometres (75 miles) south of Viswema.

Both the airports are linked to Viswema by the Asian Highway 1.

• Asian Highway 1 : Tokyo - Viswema - Istanbul
• NH 2 : Dibrugarh (Assam) - Viswema - Tuipang (Mizoram)

Viswema is well connected by road with the AH1 and also the NH-2 and the state highway connecting it with the various parts of Kohima district and also the neighboring Phek district through Viswema. Taxis from Kohima to Viswema are also available.

The Dimapur Railway Station serves as the nearest railway station to Viswema. The currently under-construction Zubza Railway Station on the Dhansiri–Zubza line once completed will serve as the nearest railway station from Viswema.