Dignitaries during the release of 'Dzüleke Phese Mu Kelhoudze.'
Morung Express News
Kohima | August 14
With oral accounts of people spanning across 13 generations, “Dzüleke Phese Mu Kelhoudze”, an initiative of Dzüleke Village Council and written by Letso Meyase, Bunyü Sophi, Meto Khate and Megotsolie Chase was formally launched at Council Hall, Dzüleke on August 14.
90-year old Vinyühu Meyase and 87-year-old Jieviu Sophi, the two oldest men of Dzüleke village formally released the book in the presence of a host of village elderly from Dzüleke and Khonoma. Among those present were Rokovor Kuotsu, Arhiu Meyase, Dr. Kepelhusie Terhüja, Sie-u Punyü (GB), Mhiesizokho Zinyü, Huzo Meru, Kocha Meyase, Rovisielie Iralu, Khonoma Village Chairman, and Khonoma Basa Chairman.
Rokovotso Meyase, who spoke on behalf of the authors, said the foundation chronicle highlights century-old stories, which were orally passed down from generations to generations. While the book had taken shape in the year 2010 during the time of their former late chairman, he related that it could not materialise and it was only last year that they practically started working on it.
The book project started with the blessings of Pastor Letso Meyase, who prayed before they began their research work in 2021. “Although it contains only 37 pages, it took us 532 days to complete the book”, he highlighted while pointing to the challenge of the unavailability of written document. In this regard, he also emphasized that if we don’t document now, we won’t have any records of our past and history.
“We will lose our history, which is like losing our greatest wealth”, he put across. During the period of their research for the book, he said, they interviewed about 18-20 people and garnered information through primary and secondary sources, classroom lectures, library and phone conversations, unpublished and published books, and oral narrations from people spread across places like Dzüleke, Khonoma, Kohima, Punglwa, Choumukedima and Dimapur. Through the book, he also expressed hope that it would enhance the knowledge of the people and that readers would be blessed.
Rokovotso Meyase also read out the Publisher’s note by Vishü Rita Krocha, who expressed regret for her inability to be there for the launch of the 61st publication of PenThrill and the second book in Tenyidie. “Having grown up in Kohima, surrounded by friends from Kohima village, Tenyidie feels like my own mother tongue”, she expressed while stating that it is always at one’s advantage to be able to speak and understand more than one language.
Noting that today, one of the global threats we are faced with is the disappearance of languages at an alarming rate, she however said, “despite this phenomenon, I must commend the Dzüleke Village Council for taking up this wonderful initiative in documenting the history and origin of this beautiful place in Tenyidie.”
She also exuded hope that the book would serve as a guiding light especially for the younger generations of Dzüleke to learn more about their forebears and also reconnect them to their roots. Dzüleke, she added, is a place, known and loved by many people while stating confidence that anyone who has been to the place would be interested to learn more about it.
While translations cannot fully capture the nuances conveyed in a different language, she said, having the book translated into English would enable a lot more people to learn about the rich history of Dzüleke. “It would be wonderful to have the story of this place shared with the world other than people from this place, or those who can read Tenyidie”, she added.
Further stating hope that Dzüleke Village Council would continue to preserve the legacy of the beautiful place of Dzüleke by taking up more initiatives of documentation, she also stated her deep appreciation for Letso Meyase, Bunyü Sophi, Meto Khate, Megotsolie Chase & Rokovotso Meyase for their painstaking research in making the book - Dzüleke Phese mu Kelhoudze, a reality.
“May Dzüleke continue to be a place that brings joy and much happiness to all those who come visiting!” she added.
In his greetings, Neisavi Hieme, President of Khonoma Rüffünuo Nagaland commended the Dzüleke Village Council for undertaking the initiative, which he said, was a ‘big accomplishment’ for the village. Blessed with pristine natural beauty, he said, Dzüleke will flourish even more as a place with the cooperation of its natives.
Vitsiepielie Sophi, Chairman of Dzüleke Village Council chaired the programme featuring Üli by Kecakielie, Tsali by Dzüleke Thenuko Krotho led by Shürhovino, invocation by Letso Meyase, Pastor, Dzüleke Village Council, welcome address by Asa Meyase, vote of thanks by Meto Khate and prayer by Abino Terhüja.
