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Naga persons in America pose for a group photo during their 16th conference in Santa Clara, California.[/caption]
Dimapur, July 25 (EMN): The Naga American Foundation (NAF) held its 16th conference on July 13 and 14 in Santa Clara, California, in the heart of Silicon Valley. The conference was hosted by San Francisco Bay Area Nagas at Santa Clara First Baptist Church, wherein around 100 individuals from across the United States attended the conference.
A press release issued by Justin Aier, NAF secretary, stated that Dr. Paulus Pimomo, professor of English at Central Washington University, and Dr. Sylvia Pongener, of Bolingbrook, Illinois, were the speakers.
Dr. Pimomo spoke about his childhood communitarian education in a Naga village, something he described as “a sound foundation for people interested in growing into well-adjusted individuals among others in any society.” He also referred to the importance of lifelong learning as equipment for navigating different perspectives and cultures.
Dr. Pongener, a former board member of the NAF, talked about Naga hospitality and how it remains a common and important representation of Nagas living abroad.
Dr. Vic Nienu, an early Naga pioneer in the San Francisco Bay Area, delivered the welcome address, while Stephen Imsong, a manufacturing engineer from Boston, Massachusetts, spoke on solo motorcycle trip that he undertook across the US last year. Recalling that many Naga families hosted him during his trip, Imsong spoke about the distinct “Naga warmth” that was accorded to him during his travels.
The conference included a cultural show featuring traditional dances, musical performances, and a martial arts demonstration, and culminated with screening of a video produced by Rev. Dr. Wungreiso Valui, senior pastor of Santa Clara First Baptist Church, entitled “Gospel coming full circle.”
Rev. Valui, who along with his wife- a Family Life Pastor Margareth Valui, leads one of the largest American Baptist congregations in the Bay Area, told the story of Nagas’ introduction to the Gospel and their subsequent spreading and growth in many countries around the world.
The NAF board announced that its next conference would be held in Edison, New Jersey in 2020, to be hosted by the family of Rev. Dr. Louis Meren Ao, senior pastor of Stelton Baptist Church.
NAF president, Honili Sema, has thanked the hosts for working tirelessly to make the conference possible. She also thanked the attendees, many of whom had travelled from out of state to attend.
