Kohima, October 6 (MExN): With the theme ‘My Culture, My Identity,’ Kohima College celebrated its 51st cultural day cum food fest at the college courtyard with Dr Visakhonü Hibo, Principal, Japfü Christian College, Kigwema as the guest speaker.
Dr Watijungshi, Principal, Kohima College in his keynote address spoke on the need for preserving and promoting culture in the modern times. He applauded the Kohima College Students Council and the students for organizing such a programme with an aim to develop awareness, preservation and promotion of culture. He further stated that “we are indebted to the various Anthropologists who have kept a record of the Naga culture.”
Speaking on the theme, Dr Visakhonü recalled about the time she attended an international conference where 16 other countries had participated. In the conference, the Nagas too had presented bullet points of our culture –our history, dialects, attire, food habits, and geography. She stated, “outside of the state, what matters most is our culture as it identifies us. The modern lifestyles, apparels, gadgets that we are so fond of become irrelevant. The things we think are old fashioned are actually the things that identify us.”
Dr Visakhonü also stated that in the India-Myanmar border where a Konyak Angh’s house is divided by an invisible international border that the British colonialists arbitrarily drew for administrative convenience, the Angh does not allow the colonialist interference to hamper with his culturally imbibed life even today as he violates international law daily when he moves from one part of the house to the other.
She also encouraged the teachers and students to start documenting oral narratives on our culture before it goes to oblivion.
The Mass Media Cell, Kohima College in a press release said that the programme was chaired by Shoruno Thong and an invocation was pronounced by Dr Eunice Alinger, Assistant Professor, Department of History. A folk song was also presented by Vevotalü and Nülhüvoiü. The Prize distribution was announced by Kesenlo Kath., games & sports secy., KCSC, and the vote of thanks was given by Sedevito Sekhose, Social & Cultural Secretary, KCSC after which the food fest commenced.
