Mr. Needham

Friend of the family, a government official, and a man that never wore shoes - not even at the club in a tuxedo.

To say that he was eccentric beyond all measure would be an understatement. His actions were those of a huntsman and a highly skilled negotiator.

As a hunter he would remain motionless for hours with salt in his hand to entice elephants. Once they were close enough he would fire his gun immediately dropping them. It was a despicable practice, but a story my father was regailed with.

At the same time one of his functions was to visit Konyak Naga villages up north. Unlike most, he would strip down naked and wear their traditional garb. Some even believed he sired numerous children with Naga women.

On one occasion he brought members of my family to visit a village, including my father. While many do not know, the Naga were headhunters until the early 1970’s, so my father, approaching the village, was met with heads on poles. He was maybe seven years of age at the time.

Despite this, Needham did his usual practice of changing into a tribal apparel and did not reappear for about an hour or more. He would leave having secured relations, change, jump back in the truck, and drive away.

Hours later he could be found at the club drinking champagne or a gin and tonic in a tuxedo - no shoes of course.

My father’s stories of Mr. Needham were fantastical to say the least, though I do know the Naga story to be accurate as dad was physically there and witnessed it.