Mr. Akha K Mao spoke about the Mao-Nagas of three villages (but more specifically Chowainamei), and their tradition of climbing Laizhu hill. He divided his presentation into four parts: origins, significance, processes and continuity and change. According to the stories, the tradition was associated with warfare, and battles against neighbouring tribes. Members of the tribe would climb the hill to prevent encroachment upon their land. The practice of hill climbing is, in this way, a tribute to one’s forefathers, and the assertion of land ownership. The tradition is significant in terms of its temporal meaning; carried out at the end of the first month of the lunar calendar year. The process involves a ceremony during which the village chief makes a proclamation, and the path to be climbed is ceremonially cleared and sanctified. This sanctification can only be carried out by people with ‘good’ names; Akha derives his name from his father, and his father could not perform this task because the name ‘Akha’ means ‘bitter’.

The tradition continues to be performed.