The Hornbill Spirit: Fr. Abraham Lotha releases new book

Morung Express News Dimapur | August 20   Fr. Abraham Lotha, PhD continues on his journey of helping readers understand the connection between symbols and nationalism, and even take them further, as he releases his first book after ‘The Raging Mithun’ which was published in 2014. His new book, titled ‘The Hornbill Spirit: Nagas Living Their Nationalism,’ published by Heritage Publishing House, was released here at DABA’s Elim Hall today.   The latest book is a further development of his doctoral studies completed at the Graduate Centre of The City University of New York in 2009.  

The historicity of the processes followed by a peoples need to be documented and Fr. Abraham Lotha traces some of these processes successfully, noted Mmhonlumo Kikon, Parliamentary Secretary for Labour and Employment, Skill Development and Border Affairs, Government of Nagaland, while releasing the book.   Fr. Abraham’s book, which Kikon had already read, attempts to address some historical blind spots in the context of Naga nationalism and brings forth varied debates on the subject, said Kikon.   This is unlike intellectuals of some neighbouring peoples who reiterate historical narratives of the territoriality of nation states thereby drawing and justifying their own aspirations based on such concepts as territorial integrity.   The Parliamentary Secretary stated that Fr. Abraham Lotha’s ‘Hornbill Spirit’ attempts to challenge the previously rendered notion of Naga “sub nationalism” through the lens of Naga “ethnonationalism.”   Kikon defined the book as a “timely” contribution in a “suitable context” albeit devoid of propaganda. ‘Hornbill Spirit’ is a “nice summation” of the historical processes that shaped the Naga polity and discusses “uncomfortable issues in a comfortable manner.”   Dr. Lanusangla Tzüdir, Chief Editor & Publisher of Heritage Publishing House, agreed on the timeliness of the book while giving a brief introduction at the book launch.   “The book could act as an important guiding principle and gives a better orientation of political struggle of the Nagas,” she added.   Symbolism inspired nationalism Fr. Abraham Lotha brings into focus, through multiple interviews, how symbolism inspires a sense of nationalism among the Naga people. In that, he attempts to take the bird’s eye view and present a holistic picture of why the historical Naga processes emerged the way they did.   To bring the point home, while speaking at the event, Fr. Abraham wore a traditional Hornbill feather hat, coordinated to meet the aesthetics of his new book.   In taking this symbolism further, he hoped that the methods in which the Hornbill lives in nature and even identifies with its ecology should be applied to the current situation where in both the Naga and Indian sides should develop fresh perspectives of understanding each other by learning from the Hornbill, thereby nurturing the relationship. This will hopefully create a healthy political ecology in the long run.   The Hornbill is associated with Naga values, beauty youthfulness, free-spirit, promise and abundance. Naming a festival after it has not been mere chance as for generations, Nagas have experienced connection with the bird, he said.   He likened the free spirit of the Hornbill to the true identity and spirit of Naga nationalism. True to this, as history proceeded with its myriad turns, the Naga people maintained agency over its proceedings and continued to move on. The bird is a symbol of healthy ecological system and the idea behind the title is to ensure that nationalism is tended well.   “This itself would generate a healthy resolution,” he maintained. The intention of the book is not to offer solutions, said Fr. Abraham, but explore why things began, and make the reader better informed in order to contribute to the larger discourse.   The book launch was followed by a discussion with the audience and signing of the book by the author.