Dimapur, July 8 (EMN): Rev. L. Among Phom was born and brought up during a transitional period when the Gospel was taking roots in the community and during a time when Christianity and the old religion of his ancestors were at clash. Rev. Phom, one of the most prominent Christian church leaders of the Phom people, has experienced what it takes to serve God while not forgetting the Naga roots, particularly that of the Phom Naga.
One of the first Reverends among the Phom Nagas, Rev L Among Phom (herewith referred as the Rev in order not to confuse with the Phom Naga community as a whole), was in his own words, an inquisitive person trying to find out the history and the primal lives of the Phom Naga in Eastern part of Nagaland. His inquisition over the years gave way to a research book titled “Delving into primal life of Phom tribe” which was released in the month of June 2018.
The book has garnered much interest from the readers, and Eastern Mirror caught up with the author to get a personal insight into the thoughts, the research work he undertook and his aspiration for the Naga people.
The Rev. disclosed that his inspiration to write about the ‘primal life of Phom tribe’ was inspired during his theological studies when he could not find books written about the Phom Naga by ‘no local, national and international authors’. This prompted him to undertake the burden and inspiration of a deep need to write something on Phom Naga; and so the book came about.
The book “Delving into primal life of Phom tribe” was a result of the author’s extensive research and interaction and his access with the sources. The Reverend said, “Firstly, I have observed many traditional practices and belief systems. Secondly, I have also heard and seen many similar practices in other villages. Thirdly, I have also made intensive research for number of years. This write-up is the accumulative outcome of these experiences”.
But, going through the book “Delving into primal life of Phom tribe”, the author has also portrayed the history of relations between Namsang village of Phom Naga tribe and Ahom Kingdom.
The author, Rev L Among Phom confessed, I did not mean it to be a history book, but while I attempted to project from the perspectives of our aged-old brotherly relationship, the elements of history emerged without which we cannot fully understand our mutual love and co-existence side by side
The author has also elaborated on the origin of the name “Naga” and affirmed his findings are are historically authentic as depicted in his book.
‘This very word “Naga” is used to this day to refer to a person by the Namsang villagers of the Phom Naga. When Namsang villagers of Phom Naga tribe introduced themselves as “Naga” to Ahoms since there was no tribe name during that time, the Ahoms thought it as of their tribe’s name. Ever since, the Ahoms started calling Naga to all the bordering hilly people of present Nagaland. But later, this name Naga was widely propagated by Britishers as they penetrated deep inside the Naga country’.
“In order to prove the origin of the word ‘Naga’ many writers have borrowed so many foreign vocabularies which do not essentially relate with the Nagas. These are seen as guesswork’s or patch-up terms”.
A significant mention was the medium of communication through log drum in the olden days. When queried if there was possibility for such communication today, the author expounded with metaphor: “We ring Church bell to have worship service in the Church and when some Church members die. We can beat log drum instead of ringing bell. The Church bell cannot make different rhythms whereas the log drum can.”
The Reverend had also written a book on Christian doctrines in Phom, a thesis during his theological studies, an instruction on Fundamentals of Staff Notation, translated the Bible in Phom, Church hymnals with staff notation, Bible for children, number of articles in magazines and this present book is the latest one.
The book “Delving into primal life of Phom tribe” authored by Rev. L. Among Phom and launched on June 13 2018 is available on ilandlo.in and Christian Literature Centre Dimapur.
