With No Shopkeepers And Locks At Stores, This Nagaland Village Runs On Trust

News18

a day ago

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A viral video shows the stunning greenery of Khonoma that covers the place and something even more surprising: shops without shopkeepers.
High up in the hills of Nagaland, there is a small village that is unlike any other. People don't lock their homes. Shops don't have shopkeepers. And yet, nothing goes missing. Everything here runs on trust. This is Khonoma village. Travel vlogger Hemani Chawda recently visited this one-of-a-kind village and shared her experience in a video on Instagram. The video shows the stunning greenery that covers the place and something even more surprising: shops without shopkeepers.
'We are in a place where there are shops but no shopkeepers. Basically, everything here runs on trust. This is India's first green village. So this is Nagaland's Khonoma village," Hemani says in the video.
In Khonoma, you can walk into a bookshop or a vegetable stall, take what you need and drop the money into a small box. 'People here do not lock their houses and no stealing occurs here. As I said, there are no shopkeepers in the shops so if you need a book from a bookshop or need to buy vegetables from a vegetable shop then just put the money in the drop box, and you can go and take stuff with you," she explains.
So, what makes this village so honest? According to Hemani, the secret lies in a traditional code followed by the Angami tribe called Kenyo which has 154 taboos that shape how people live and behave.
Khonoma is also known for its deep respect for nature. 'If you see the greenery here, you will feel that there is organic farming in every house. And the people are so nice that you want to stay here forever," Hemani adds. The village has completely banned hunting and tree-cutting that is why it is called India's first Green Village.
The video was shared along with the caption, 'India's first Green Village Khonoma. Often described as a 'warrior village', Khonoma is known for its fierce resistance during the British colonial period. There is so much history written in this village. Apart from that, Khonoma is also known for its initiatives in wildlife conservation."
The video has already crossed 16 million views so far. In the comment section, many shared their admiration for the village.
One user commented, 'These are the places that need to be made viral! Thank you for sharing."
Another said, 'Can't wait to explore this side of India."
'Honesty makes this place more beautiful," someone else remarked.
Even YouTube India's official account also joined in by commenting, 'packing our bags immediately."
Khonoma isn't just known for its green way of life, it is also home to skilled craftsmen who are experts in bamboo and cane work. It is considered one of the safest villages in India where people live with courage, mutual respect and a strong sense of community.