Obed Quinker, Chairman of Nagaland Bee-keeping and Honey Mission (3rd from R), author, Runshito Lims (4th from R), publisher, Vishü Rita Krocha (4th from L), R Tohanba, Chairman, Yimkhiung Literature Board & former Parliamentary Secretary (2nd from R), Laji Luyanba, General Secretary of Yimkhiung Tribal Council (R) and Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Poet, Academic & Educator (2nd from L) along with others during the launch of “The Ancestral Voices” at Dr Setu Memorial Hall, Alder College Kohima on March 4. (Photo by Jabu Krocha)
PenThrill’s 116th publication, ‘The Ancestral Voices: Yimkhiung Naga Tales & Stories’ released
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 4
Marking a significant contribution to the growing body of literature in the state and a first-of-its-kind emerging from the Yimkhiung tribe, “The Ancestral Voices- Yimkhiung Naga Tales and Stories” written by Runshito Lims was formally released today by Obed Quinker, Chairman of Nagaland Bee-keeping & Honey Mission (NBHM) at Dr. Setu Memorial Hall, Alder College Kohima.
Runshito Lims, whose love for storytelling began at a very early age recalled growing up with his maternal grandparents. His grandfather was an Angami from Kidima village and his late maternal grandmother was a Yimkhiung from Huker Village.
“As I grew up, I always found myself squeezing between my grandparents after dinner and listening to their nostalgic memories, especially of those from Huker Village”, he related during the release of the book.
Stating that his grandfather must have been a very keen listener, he impressed upon that, that is the reason why he could recollect so many stories to pass it down to him and subsequently inculcated in him, the art of listening.
Observing that the art of storytelling is slowing dying despite Nagas being very rich in oral folklore and storytelling, he urged, “let us kindle the art of storytelling.” To the young and upcoming writers, he advised, “let us not just listen, but let us also research, refine, and retell them. Let us also write, write for people to explore, learn, and know more about us, our culture and our heritage.”
Addressing the book launch, Obed Quinker spoke about life in the eighties during which period, education was very faint and lacking true meaning. During those days, when the education system was at another level, he said that he struggled but also tried to surround himself with books even while emphasising that books were one of the best teachers in his life.
Towards this end, he also underscored that as a scholar, researcher, student, or a common man, “we all should have the ability to listen and listen well.” “The one who listens will be able to write”, he remarked while asserting that, “being able to listen is the best gift we can give ourselves.”
Further pointing to the need to acquire the skill for reading, he highlighted the need for stories to be retold, re-narrated and relived wherein listeners or readers are able to relive that moment through listening to reading. “The very insignificant details in any story is as significant as the biggest headline”, he remarked while underscoring that, “everything else might fail but stories will always keep soaring high.”
‘The power of words & stories shapes our identity & culture’
Also speaking on the occassion, R Tohanba, Chairman of Yimkhiung Literature Board & Former Parliamentary Secretary, noted that, “the power of words and stories shapes our identity and culture” while stating that the author, Runshito is a testament of the transformative power of passion and perseverance.
As the chairman of Yimkhiung Literature Board, he stated pride in the author’s achievement of having authored 3 books including “Allegories of life”, “Kindling Passion” and “The Ancestral Voices”.
Stating that this is a huge fear for the Yimkhiung community, he urged the author toncontinue contributing to literature while also expressing that, “your stories have the power to inspire, to educate, and to preserve our rich heritage.”
He further highlighted that like other tribes of Nagaland that migrated from different places, he said that, “Yimkhiungru also migrated from Langa on the north and Kemiphu at the south.” He also dwelt on the six dialects including Langa yu, Makhur yu, Chi yu, Longphur yu, Phelunger yu, and Tikhir yu that are spoken in their community.
He urged the students and young people to follow in the footsteps of Runshito and take the road less travelled. “Take a page of Runshito’s book, don’t just follow the crowd, follow your heart. Write your own success story big or small, every step towards your passion is a victory”, he exhorted.
‘Putting words on paper, not just a creative work but an act of culture preservation’
Laji Luyanba, General Secretary of Yimkhiung Tribal Council remarked that, “in a world that moves fast, we tend to forget our roots” while highlighting that the book would remind us of where we come from as it reflects the spirit of a people whose history has lived through oral storytelling.
Commending the author for his newly published work, he remarked that writing books is not an easy job. “Putting words on paper, is not simply a creative work, but an act of culture preservation”, he underscored.
Further terming it as a bridge between elders and youth, tradition and modernity, memory and reading the history, he also told the author, “we are proud of your courage. You have given voice to tradition.” He also hoped that the book would travel beyond the gathering and that the beauty of Yimkhiung as contained in the book would be a light for everyone who reads it.
In her Publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha said she was greatly encouraged to see the participation of a tribal literature board and a tribal council in the book launch while lauding the Yimkhiung community for understanding the profound impact of literature and taking keen interest to be part of Runshito’s writing journey.
She commended the author for keeping the cultural legacy of the Nagas alive through his storytelling. Asserting that there is so much beauty in the different cultures that every Naga tribe has, she also stated hope that many such initiatives of preserving each tribe’s history, origin, culture and stories through books would follow.
Terming the contents of the book as “powerful”, she further underscored the need to invest in books while emphasising that books are forever and the need to go back to our roots. “This book will take you back to a precious time in our history and past that will definitely leave you wiser, happier and empowered”, she added.
In her review of the book, Dr Theyiesinuo Keditsu, Poet, Academic & Educator noted that, “this remarkable collection of folk tales and myths by an author who is both a born storyteller and a meticulous researcher marks an important intervention in how we approach indigenous narratives.”
Drawing from the oral traditions of his hitherto often marginalised tribe, she said that, “Runshito Lims reclaims the right to self-representation - offering insider perspectives that restore texture and depth to stories long flattened by external retellings.”
Stating that his attentive curation of multiple versions and dialects demonstrates not only scholarly rigour but also deep cultural care, she remarked that, “These tales are rendered with the sensitivity of someone who is aware that myth’s function transcends mere fiction and is instead an active medium of collective memory and moral imagination.”
Through his retellings, she added, “an entire lifeworld comes alive before us - its cadences, quirks, cosmologies, and contradictions - revealing that unity and diversity are not opposing principles, but intertwined realities.” “This is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand both his people and the larger narrative landscape of the Nagas”, she further put across.
Highlights of the event included invocation by Rachel, Women Director, Yimkhiung Baptist Borü Kohima, Special Number by Rokonuo Mekro, BA II Semester, English Department, Alder College Kohima and benediction by Lily, CED, Yimkhiung Baptist Borü Kohima while Lunthula Lims chaired the programme.
