During World War II, Japanese troops arrived in Kigwema on 4 April 1944, at 4:00 PM.

The Japanese commander, General Kōtoku Satō, was stationed in Kigwema during the Battle of Kohima.

[citation needed] "It was a long war, we were warned by the Brits and were very apprehensive about the Japanese, but they were friendly.

For us teenagers, the war was an adventure," recalled Kuose Kere, an elder from Kigwema village who witnessed the invasion of Japanese troops.

[1] Kigwema is nestled in the foothills of Mount Japfü, the second highest peak in the present day Nagaland.

The northwestern region of Kigwema is bounded by the Angami villages of Khonoma and Jotsoma.

The Barail Range and Dzüko Valley are situated in the west of Kigwema, beyond which lies the Zeliang Naga villages of Poilwa, Punglwa and Benreu in Nagaland and Yangkhullen in Manipur.

It originates at the foot of Mount Japfü and continues to flow in a southwest to northeast direction until it joins the Dzü-ü river.

Several people are also engaged in small and cottage industries such as weaving, basket-making and other handicrafts.

Protestant-based sects like Baptist, Christian Revival Church, Pentecostal and Catholic are prevalent.