(Hin): ज़ूनेबोटो zūneboto
(Sumi): zünhebo-to
‘Hill of Deep Waters’ – Town/District, Nagaland
Sumi: from zünhebo, ‘deep water’, ‘flowing water’; and –to, ‘hill’.
Zunheboto spreads across rounded uplands threaded with streams and freshwater springs.The district’s name captures the blend of water and hill that defines much of the Sumi homeland.
As the cultural centre of the Sumi Nagas, it is known for choral music, drum rhythms and the distinctive shawls worn during festivals.
For related place names see Indian Place names and Nagaland place names.