Zhavame village nurturing forefathers’ tradition

Kuzhovesa Soho
Zhavame | July 19

To the delight of many, one can still find several cultures and traditions of our forefathers, including materials being preserved and ethnicity being practised to date in a village called Zhavame, in Phek district, some 13 kilometres away from Pfütsero Town. The village, which is situated in a valley and located below the Kapadmudzu mountain range, is also famed for its name – Valley of Prosperity.

Interacting with this correspondent from The Morung Express here at Zhavame village, an elderly man from the village says, “Our forefathers were rich in nature, following the surplus harvesting of paddy every year.” Talking about a small stream which presently flows in the middle of the village, he says that “this very small stream serves a healthy environment for the denizens of this village. Cultivation of any kind of crop in the lands of Zhavame is blessed with bountiful organic products.”

Citing as an example the supplying of cabbage to other parts of the state for the past many years, the elder says that a dedicated agriculturalist in the village can make sales amounting to Rs.50,000 to Rs.80,000 per year. This mainly depends on the fertility of the land, he says, and adds that the village has been recognised by the government of Nagaland as a ‘Vegetable Village’.

Once a significant part of the village, the ‘village guard sentry stage’ still exists to this day, and is maintained in all the Khels in the village. A vertical wooden stage measuring approximately 7 metres in height is seen in all the important locations within the village. Explaining the significance of this wooden stage, another elderly man says, “The stage was mainly meant for the village sentries who guarded the village, on rotation, especially during times of war. This very stage is now utilised as a platform by the village elders to make public announcements.”

Another interesting activity involved with the erecting of the wooden stage was the gathering of strong healthy youths from the community on important occasions. Preparing themselves, the youths would come up to a spot near the stage and lift up the forefathers’ “anointed” stone placing it next to the stage. This would be done in all the locations. According to villagers, during the forthcoming ‘Laoni’ festival, which is celebrated on completion of the yearly terrace cultivation, this very “game” will be featured as part of the celebration.

The Chakhesang Students’ Union (CSU) and Zhavame Students’ Union (ZSU) have decided in a series of meetings to beautify all the landmarks and structures depicting the age-old culture and traditions within the village in view of the 63rd general conference and golden jubilee celebrations. The wooden sentry stages, carved houses, wine containers, and public meeting places are just some of the attractions that will specially be given priority and put forth for enhancement.