The kitchen (Himkha) is the center of interactions and conversations in Konyak Naga families, with the fire place (Ponglong) being a core element. The Ponglong is made with three stones that symbolize the family unit: father, mother, and child, making them a "living museum among humans". However, Konyak Naga kitchen is currently undergoing changes. The unique food culture of the Konyaks is an amalgamation of the Levis Straussian concept of 'Raw and Cooked foods,' reflecting the structure of meals, their preparation, and preservation methods in the Konyak kitchen. This paper explores Konyak cultural life by examining the communication between nature and culture, which defines the structural element of roasted and boiled foods. By observing kitchen space and reflecting on their 'simple eating, simple living' notion, we can gain insight into the Konyak way of life. Unfortunately, contemporary changes are causing families to become disconnected, leading to more private kitchen spaces and the dismantling of the core structure of the Konyak Naga families. This ethnographic study uses a holistic approach from an anthropological perspective to examine changes in the structure of kitchen, from cohesive joints to fragmented parts, in modern Konyak families in North East India.
