Witoubou Newmai
What really triggers ‘tribalism’ habitually in the Naga society? Actually, we are already late to discuss this ‘elephant in the room’ since the social fabric of our society, time and again, keep succumbing to such narratives. Nonetheless, addressing the same could offer us the way forward.
Let us not consider that this is an abstruse discussion but retrospect what factors have enabled ‘tribalism’ to occupy salience in our society. Such discourses, as long as they come out of a sense of moral responsibility, will add values to our existence.
It is not that ‘tribalism’ is not considered a stodgy degression in our society---the anxieties are also confined to those promoters of ‘tribalism’. In short, promoters of 'tribalism' are also trapped in the "intention of others.” We may also say that our stubbornness in maintaining our relations among ourselves has been caused by ‘tribal competition’ driven by the fear syndrome of being-left-behind-that-tribe. In such a scenario, it is the question of finding effective means to invoke the collective Naga ‘theme’.
In his book ‘The Hornbill Spirit’ Abraham Lotha notes, “Though different Naga tribes are related to each other ethnically, albeit some closer than others, a narrow tribalism can blind people from looking more closely at their commonalities in the midst of their unique, and possibly more striking, differences, impeding a focus on achieving an awareness of cohesive identity and shared belonging as a nation that is life-giving and fortifying for all.” Abraham further cautions that the “the formation of identity categories…can work counter to recognising the unifying forces, if these groups are not cautious,” adding, “Nagas need to be wary and not get so lost in bickering, that they become possible prey for a larger beast”. “The challenge for all Naga people is to see beyond the tribe and reinforce their deeper connectedness as a nation,” he further advocates.
To explore means to address this degression, should be our collective responsibility and concern. Complacent to this regressive and divisive reality is akin to leaving our ‘common cause’ at the mercies of various interest groups. As we deliberate with the earnest intention of creating avenues for our society to come to terms with our wrongs, we need to identify those little dotting areas here and there where ‘tribal colours’ don’t thrive, and dilate those areas for larger accommodation discourses. This should be one of the kernels of exploration pattern towards the endeavour.
Talk or lecture programmes, according to the need and suitability of the given environments, should be encouraged and promoted. We know that a discussion such as on ‘collective spirit’ of the Naga people or ‘Naga unity’ often brings down to ‘collective monotony’ we cannot help but to go on with this tedious discourse.
Unless we consider that ours is a “death-defying journey,” chances of succumbing to the "intention of others" will aggravate and will continue to cause angst in the Naga society.
