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WOKHA — With an aim to preserve Naga cultural and traditional heritage, the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School (DBHSS) in Wokha town organised its annual cultural event on Saturday on the theme “Sustaining traditions: cultural preservation.”
During the event, students of class 12 participated in activities such traditional shawl weaving, earring designing, bamboo plate-making and basket weaving.
The Lotha language teacher at DBHSS, Marcus Lotha, informed that the school annually conducts indigenous Lotha handicraft training for the students. He urged upon the students to carry forward the rich cultural heritage of the Lothas.
The principal of DBHSS, Rev. Fr. TC Joseph, stressed that students should not forget their culture. He stated that Lotha people are known for their rich cultural heritage in the forms of indigenous games, songs, dances and skills based on traditions.
Fr. Joseph informed that the school is integrating cultural aspects into educational system by introducing those skills through arts and crafts. He said the school organises the event every year by setting aside time for both practical and theoretical aspects in weaving, basket-making, mat-making and cultural dances including traditional games with guidance from the staff.
He informed that the school focuses on different cultural aspects each year. In the previous year, the school conducted activities related to agriculture such as planting and sustenance of seeds.
He pointed out that many indigenous varieties of rice available in the region are on the verge of extinction due to reliance on imported rice through public distribution systems. He warned that this trend risks the loss of tastier and healthier indigenous varieties of rice.
To combat this, he stated that the school introduced cultural agricultural practices by encouraging students to preserve those rice varieties and other agricultural products.
Stating that culture is intrinsic to identity that influence every aspect of life, he encouraged incorporating cultural values into systems like education and public administration. He advocated equipping each generation with a strong cultural background by knowing their language. In this regard, he encouraged the Lotha younger generation to promote their mother tongue.
Fr. Joseph also cautioned against losing one’s cultural identity due to Western education and the imitation of different cultures, which could erode the values of one's own culture. He urged upon the parents and leaders of various Lotha civil society organisations to encourage children to engage in cultural activities throughout the year in order to maintain equilibrium in sustenance and growth of Lotha culture and its legacies.
In the event, girl students took part in traditional shawl weaving and earring designing, while the boys participated in basket weaving and bamboo plate-making.