The eldest of eight, Leynei Konyak has set an example within his community as the first Konyak barber. His passion and love for his work has inspired many others to follow suit.
Born in 1987, Konyak dropped out of school to support his family. With the intent to start earning for a living, Konyak used his talent, improved upon it and came to be known as the first Konyak barber.
In an exclusive interview with Nagaland Tribune, Leynei Konyak shares how it all started back in 2007 when in his leisure time, he would cut the hair and beards of his young neighbours. Encouraged by people, he started working at a barbershop run by a non-local barber near the Civil Hospital.
He mentions that at that point, the cost of a haircut was only around Rs 10 – Rs 15 and there were only around 32 non-local barbers in Mon town.
Interestingly, the non-local barbers were excited to have him around as a co-worker as this meant the chances of customers walking out without making payments would be reduced. His presence not only prevented this, but also reduced the chances of conflict. This symbiotic relationship helped him acquire skills while providing a sense of security for the non-local barbers.
Recognising his work, as being both self-employed and the ‘first Konyak barber’, the Konyak Union awarded him a certificate of appreciation for his talent and dignity of labour in the community back in May 2010.
Leynei Konyak’s barbershop at Fire Brigade Junction, Mon town.
In 2011, he was also awarded a certificate of appreciation by the Konyak Students’ Union (KSU). In 2013, the Sheanghah Chingnyu Manpongshu and BA-AM Pushu Union also recognised his work.
The awards and recognition, he said, boosted his passion for his work.
In 2011, he launched a calendar along with fellow Konyak barbers Rherong Konyak, Nockban Konyak, Kapgan Konyak, Nalei Konyak, Hongching Konyak, and Thegang Konyak. The calendar was made to feature Konyak barbers.
Leynei Konyak shared that he enjoys his work and wanted to enhance his skills which led him to participate in the six-week Skill Training Programme (STI) on haircutting organised by the Youth Action for Social Service (YASS) and sponsored by the Small Industry Development Bank of India (SIDBI) in late 2018 and early 2019.
“No person from our Konyak community ever viewed haircutting as a well reputed job. Brother Leynei took the step to learn and acquired the knowledge from non-local barbers,” said Nahlei Konyak, another skilled barber who began work in this trade in 2011.
Nahlei added that Leynei had paved the way for the community.
Leynei and Shomei with their two children.
Today, Leynei is married to Shomei and is a father of two. Shomei tells Nagaland Tribune that Leynei is a man of few words, while she is more outgoing and social.
Made of matted bamboo slits, Leynei Konyak’s barbershop sits at Fire Brigade Junction, Mon town. For Konyak, his barbershop is not only a source of income but something that brings him much happiness and contentment.
Although he found it difficult initially to find a balance between work and family, he never ceased hope, Konyak shared.
Today, Leynei Konyak stands as a testament of self-reliance and hard work. He encourages the youths to do the little things they are capable of doing as these little things can transform their lives and the society. He further urges unemployed youths not to give up hope but to use the gifts within them.
