Linking the past to modernity

Naga Heritage Center launched in Kohima

  Morung Express News
Kohima | April 19  

With a primary focus to systematically trace, record, and collect Naga stories, history, legends, folktales and traditional teachings, the Naga Heritage Center (NHC) was officially launched at Ura Academy, Kohima on April 19.  

The President of NPF, Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu and Parliamentary Secretary, Higher & Technical Education, Deo Nukhu graced the inauguration as the chief guest and the guest of honor respectively.

  Formed with a few members and registered as a Society in the year 2014, NHC strives to preserve the keys to knowledge of the past, history, ecosystem, and the rich intangible cultural heritage of the Nagas.  

It also aims to establish a museum to safeguard and reclaim traditional art and provide livelihood and generate income for the educated unemployed through the above stated activities.  

“At present, a priority task is the documentation of the oral narratives from our elders before it is too late. We remain painfully conscious of the fact that this present generation of Nagas is the last link to the past,” said Dr. Avinuo Kire, President, NHC, while delivering an introductory speech at the launching.  

Documentation of oral narratives is a priority mission, she stressed, while expressing concern over the stark reality of a dying generation of “professional storytellers” which could result in losing of an entire “generation’s knowledge and wisdom.”  

“This obviously means that we might lose the link to our ancestral heritage,” Dr Kire pointed out, adding a “serious urgency” is required to collect their legacies to maintain our sense of identity as a people.”  

“The elders are our walking libraries, whose vast knowledge needs to be tapped into and collected before they walk away with their entire libraries,” Dr. Kire stressed.  

Asserting on the need to reflect on the past and exist with modernity, Dr. Kire stated that progress or modernity in no way implies letting go of the past. “A nation or group of people is judged by their heritage; history, literature, their values and traditional ethos. Dismissing or forgetting the past puts us at a very real risk of becoming a rudderless people without an anchor in future.”    

People Stories: Volume I released   Meanwhile, along with the inauguration, a book entitled, ‘People Stories: Volume One,’ – a collection of documented oral narratives of stories and traditional teachings gathered from Naga elders – was released at the function.  

Written and compiled by Dr. Avinuo Kire and Dr. Meneno Vamuzo Rhakho, the stories range from the early days in Naga history when people lived in close harmony with nature and the spirit world to stories from the years of Nagas’ contact with other cultures.  

Lauding the two authors, Dr. Shürhozelie stated that the book is a very good beginning and that documentation of the oral tradition is very important.  

“With the change of times, these oral traditions are disappearing and documentation is the only means to preserve our tradition,” he added.  

Dr. Liezietsu also warned about the danger of talking about the Naga’s cultural life which is often associated with headhunting and asserted that Naga ancestors enjoyed times of peace and building relationships more than hunting heads.  

Articulating on the recent arguments over Nagamese as a language, he said that Nagamese has no merit to be a language and therefore, “premature to talk” about it and encouraged young writers to write more in English.  

Publisher Vishü Rita Krocha from PenThrill Publication House stated that the book has brought alive the rich stories of a generation that is swiftly fading.  

The book is also a rarity due to the fact that the authors took extra effort to sit down with the elderly “which is sadly an uncommon sight nowadays” and penned down their experiences, their wisdom, and their knowledge of our rich culture and tradition, she further elaborated.  

Criticizing the Naga’s obsession with anything ‘foreign’, she also called for creating a vibrant atmosphere for literature by a thriving community of readers who supports writers who are making humble beginnings with their talent and creativity.