While Morung stands for the bachelor dorm in a Konyak tribal village, Helsa is an acronym made from the first alphabet of the names of the children of the head-woman owner of the property — (H-Hamwang, E-Ethiel, L-Lemnon, S-Suzanne, A-Angam)

Set in a forest clearing, the homestay imbibes all the characteristics of a typical Konyak abode where Morung is a central piece in the village. Traditionally, Morung was a bachelor’s dormitory or a Club where the village boys spent their growing up years before they turned adults. Filled with the youthful energy, space was vibrant and decorated with trophies gathered by the young head hunters.

In the earlier days, a successful head hunter was awarded a tattoo on his head/face, that spoke of his achievements and was flashed with pride. The more the tattoos, the powerful the head hunter was in his tribe. Though headhunting days are long over, even today you can see some distinct tattoos on the face and chests of the old men from the tribe, who hailed the tradition. You can, however, still, hear the songs of bravery echoing along the hillside.

As a stay, Helsa Morung revokes a nostalgia of the times gone by. Designed with traditional Konyak aesthetics, the homestay comes across as a part of a larger village set up that allows you the experience of living with the locals.