Nagaland is one the few states in the world which is recognized as the state with its rich varied cultures and traditions. In this world of high-tech environment, where technologies seem to rule our lives, I am offering a thought of our younger generations for their loosing identities and the fading practice of our rich culture and traditions. I am tempted to write a few thought after I witnessed a strange remorse incident with one of my bright students whom I asked from which village he came. To my surprise and strangely, he was lost in nowhere to respond from which village he was. The only excuse he gave was he had never visited his place even once. This made me realizes the need for encouragement of cultural and tribal unions in educational institutions where they can learn and practice our rich traditions apart from their academic pursuits.
There are only two institutions where young learners can practice and exercise their indigenous dialects, customs and traditions to pass on to the future generations. The first being, the Sunday schools and various other programs organized by the respective religious institutions. But, still fewer youngsters take the opportunity to learn only how to speak and write their indigenous dialects as formality is strictly maintained being religious institutions.
The other being the educational institutions, where many events and programs are conducted every now and then, that will create a platform to the young students to learn and exercise their respective culture and tradition. Educational institutions, both in elementary and higher levels, are the best and effective places where one can learn and inherit our traditional and cultural practices. This can be achieved by creating a platform and encouraging young students to have tribal and cultural unions in their respective educational institutions. Many (if not all) of the youth today celebrate respective tribal festivals without knowing its significance and perceived them as opportunities for drinking, partying and merry-making.
The need of the hour is therefore, to teach how to speak, write, sing and to inculcate the significance of tribal festivals at the elementary level, and at a higher level in respective college/institution, apart from the academic studies, must create and encourage the students to have tribal and cultural unions so that they can exercise their respective cultures and traditions. They must, at the same time, discourage any programs or an event that leads to Tribal Competitions. Even the famous Hornbill festival or any tribal festivals will have no value in the near future if the practice and culture of our respective tribal customs are not taught and passed on to our younger generations. The best policy for one to serve the humanity would be to master one’s own traditions and culture and love them at first; this is the first step for one now and the next step will, for sure, come tomorrow.
T Zanthungo Ngullie
Asst. Professor, Commerce
St. Joseph’s College
Jakhama, Kohima
