Kohima, Jan. 30 (EMN): ‘History tells us that when mankind reaches certain point of progress, the inherent ‘nostalgia’ and ‘curiosity’ for the past take over. Thus began the course of retrieval of indigenous lore in their own languages among the Nagas,’ said Dr. Temsula Ao, an academician.
Giving a rare insight about the stories and tales of the people ‘Folklore of Eastern Nagaland’ narrates the stories of life, love, heartache and beliefs of the six tribes of Eastern Nagaland viz. the Konyak, Phom, Chang, Sangtam, Yimchunger and Khiamniungan.
The book gives an insight into the rich legacy of folklore handed down from generations by word of mouth as it takes one through 65 little known lores break-up into tribe wise folktales.
‘Folklore of Eastern Nagaland’ is a project of the Department of Underdeveloped Areas (DUDA) under Research & Planning Cell with the primary objective to record and safeguard the unwritten literary knowledge and identity of the six tribes.
The book was released by Pankaj Kumar, chief secretary of Nagaland on January 30 at Hotel Vivor, Kohima. It was authored by a young prolific writer, Anungla Longkumer (commissioned by DUDA), and edited by Dr. Temsula Ao. The pictorial illustrations were made by Vineizotuo Z Tase and Vithuse Temi and published by Heritage Publishing House, Dimapur.
In his address, Kumar observed that the study of folklore in Nagaland has languished on account of certain historical reasons like the conversion to Christianity, which taught that anything traditional was heathen. He maintained that there is a gradual dissociation from the old way of life causing memory lapse in the minds of storytellers, singers and custodians of the tribe’s history.
Appreciating the efforts of DUDA and the author in making the project a reality, he expressed hope that the book would be a treasure not only for the six tribes but for all Nagas.
Giving a brief account of the project, Longkumer who journeyed to 69 villages digging the stories of the past, described her journey as ‘fascinating and adventurous’ and narrated the challenges they had faced along their journey.
Though much more treasures still remain untraced and un-recorded, Temsula Ao, in her editor’s note described the content of the book as remarkable in the rich variety and also similarities and also the so-called ‘savage’ people’s understanding of themselves, life around them and especially their intuitive but valid assessment of the universe around them.
She hoped that the book would be a path-breaking endeavour leading to similar explorations whereby the people of the region could identify themselves through the positive energy of their native wisdom.
‘The idea is not to hark back to the past but to hold their own in an environment where natives everywhere are struggling to assert themselves as equal citizens in a reductive world,’ concluded Ao.
The book priced at INR 1000 is available at Chaprü Kohima, Heritage Publishing House, Anghya Outlets, Crossword and also online at ilandlo.com and amazon.in.
