Book about Christianity’s entry into Ao land released

Dimapur, July 24 (EMN): A book that seeks to recount as well as explore the entry of Christianity into the Ao Naga land through the American preacher, Rev Dr EW Clark, was released here at the DABA’s office on Monday. The book, Ao Kin Dangi Khristan Yimsu Aruba (Ao for ‘The coming of Christianity to the Ao Nagas’), was authored by Tiala Imchen, who already has four other Christianity-themed books to her credit. Divided into 9 chapters, and nearly 500-pages long, the book is also an immersion into the stories of how the Christian gospel was spread across Ao villages after it first arrived at the gates of Molungkimong village in 1872, according to the author. [caption id="attachment_128407" align="alignnone" width="500"] The president of the ABAM, Rev Dr Noklen Longkumer, left, releasing the book, ‘Ao Kin Dangi Khristan Yimsu Aruba’, at the DABA office in Dimapur on Monday. The author, Tiala Imchen, is on the right.[/caption] The unique social and cultural practices followed by the different villages – coupled with the common practice of headhunting – ensured that each village reacted differently when animism first came into Christianity. These contrasting reactions, according to Imchen, make for a fascinating read. Pastors from 34 Ao villages have recounted such stories, which she has incorporated in her book. For an insight, she cited the case of Chuchuyimpang, a village near Mokokchung town: when the villagers first accepted Christianity, they had no bell to ring in the mass service. As substitute, the villagers used a spade! She also shared that it was not easy writing a book that contains sweeping narrative of one entire tribe, divided into numerous ranges and villages. The danger to such an attempt is that there is always room for controversy, Imchen said. The president of ABAM (Ao Baptist churches’ council), Rev Dr Noklen Longkumer released the book. He suggested that the book should be translated in English as soon as possible. The book is priced at Rs 550.