Kohima, Nov. 24 (EMN): A book titled “A Naga Odyssey – Visier’s long way home,” written by Dr. Visier Meyasetsu Sanyü, was launched this evening at Hotel Japfü, Kohima.
The book, also co-authored by prominent historian Richard Broome, was formally launched by Mmhonlumo Kikon, minister of Geology & Mining and Border Affairs, as the chief guest.
Speaking at the launching ceremony, the author Dr. Sanyü, who hails from Khonoma village and is currently the president of the Overseas Naga Association, said the book is a memoir and not an autobiography.
“I had been thinking to write the book for the last 30 years. I have not written this book to tell the story to the younger generation. Though it’s a memoir, yet, it’s not my story, but your story,” he said informing that it took four years for him and co-author Broome to publish the book.
According to the author, he decided to write the book to tell about a series of journeys, both spatially and spiritually. He felt it was so important to record the period of the days when his villagers went into the jungle after the British invasion of 1879.
Sanyü also recalled the years during the Indo-Naga conflict when his family and clan were referred as ‘nhanumia’ (jungle folks) people, who survived in the jungle after their village was burnt by the Indian army. “We struggled there, surviving on rats, monkey meat and wild vegetables for nearly three years,” Sanyü said.
“Nothing was recorded by our people, and we only glimpse their experience faintly from British records. The silence must not be repeated,” he said adding that thousands of the older generation who were ‘nhanumia’ are now dying, and that only his generation can relate the horrific tale to the younger generation.
The author was thankful to the co-author Richard Broome, an Emeritus Professor of History at La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia.
In his address, the chief guest Kikon congratulated the author for coming out with a book, which he said is an “honest memoir”.
“This is every Naga’s journey and not alone his (Sanyü) journey,” Kikon said maintaining that it is necessary for the present generation to look at the history of our people.”
“Our generation is very much aware of what has happened in the past. Things which we have accepted as our history is impacting our decision making today,” he stated.
Responding to the author’s view on the decade-long Naga political issue, Kikon said the Naga problem should be solved by us and no one else, adding it should be solved collectively.
Lauding the author for the honesty in his writings, the minister also encouraged the need for Nagas to come up at the level of honesty.
“Let us shed our hypocritical self and be realistic,” he said and he urged the old aged people to write memoirs for the greater interest and benefit of the society.
The opening note about the book was delivered by Neichute Doulo, CEO and coordinator of Entrepreneurs Associates, while the ‘book reading’ was done by Neiketounuo Kotso, assistant manager, EATACOL.
The programme, chaired by Susan James, commenced with invocation pronounced by Moba Konyak, pastor of Konyak Baptist Church, Kohima. A folk song was presented by Chekhesang Cultural Institute, Kohima.
