Our Correspondent
Kohima, May 26 (EMN): Professor at State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), Nagaland Dr. Zavise Rume on Thursday said that indigenous knowledge need to be promoted for the upcoming generations to learn and imbibe.
“We must write them down. We must document them. Research evidence indicates too many edible food items in our land. But unless we know the language, all these food resources cannot be used and we will remain poor in the midst of our richness. Language must be used as a medium to promote our food production, our plants, fruits, vegetables,” Rume asserted.
Rue was addressing the first day of Ura Academy’s 52nd seminar in Kohima.
In his speech, Rume said Tenyimias were families by blood and not by choice or by chance, and that the language is beautiful and melodious. He added that the Ura Academy must promote the cultural values of Tenyimias through literary works.
He also implored Ura Academy to undertake short term teachers’ training, orientation to train teachers on how to teach Tenyidie and also expanding to new media and tools to expand the mission of learning Tenyidie beyond the Tenyimias community.
“Let the world learn Tenyidie. Let all the children and upcoming younger generations learn Tenyidie like any other foreign language through an academic course of study,” he said.
Further, he also asserted the need to organise regular interactions through platforms like webinars and seminars to promote indigenous native songs, dances, stories, sports, games and indigenous festivals and also called for efforts to document them through audio visual aids.
Another speaker, Rev. Tsolie Chase maintained that language and words are powerful mediums that unite people and communities at large and also have potential to be destructive. Towards this, he reminded the gathering to be sensible.
He asserted that language is a gift of God, and he challenged the fraternity of Ura Academy to make efforts to further develop and carry forward the language with more research, in order to let the language grow.
Chase also expressed apprehension that if efforts are not made to preserve the language, it will diminish. In this regard, he told the gathering to encourage speaking in Tenyidie at home and in the community.
Meanwhile, the first president of Angami Public Organisation (APO) Zapuvisie Lhousa shared delight on the progress and development of Tenyidie language over the years while pointing out the early days of Ura Academy and expressed hope that the it will continue to strengthen, polish and further expand the speakers. He also stressed on the need to preserve the language.
Speeches were also delivered by Those Kraho and Rovisielie Angami, and the programme was chaired by Daso Paphino, Vice-president Ura Academy.
On the occasion, Dr. Metuo Liezietsu and Dr. Kelhoukhrienuo Sekhose who completed their PhD degree in Tenyidie from Nagaland University also shared their experiences.
Earlier, Zapuvisie Lhousa lit a candle to mark the occasion.
Later in the afternoon, technical sessions were held and various resource persons enlightened the participants: Khriesenuo Solo, Reader, SCERT spoke on "Nagaland Heritage Textbooks and National Education Policy (NEP) 2020"; Vizomenuo Yhome, Asst. Professor Kohima Science College on "Choice based credit system"; Kevisatuo Sanyű and Shiroi Lily Shaiza, NagaEd Founders on "Language promotion with NagaEd" and Medongulie Tseikha, Asst. Professor Kohima College on "Desirable outcome of a teacher."
On Friday (May 26), there will be Tenyidie Kephrűnuoko Krotho (TKK) programme, a students’ conference with music and art display and competitions on story writing, poetry writing and extempore speech. The valedictory function will be attended by Dr. Shürhozelie Liezietsu, president of Ura Academy.