‘Nagas should dialogue on folklores’

Dimapur, May 17 (EMN): Nagas should engage in discussion, dialogue, and talk on folklores and other aspects of oral tradition to help recognize and value the importance of the tradition and culture, said the Dr.Veio Pou, Department of English, Bhagat Singh College, University of Delhi, New Delhi. Chairing the launching of the book “A Girl Swallowed by a Tree: Lotha Naga Tales Retold” by Nzanmongi Jasmine Patton, he said the stories are not just to tell and retell for amusement and entertainment but mirror the way of life of the Naga people. The Naga Scholar Association hosted a book release cum discussion on “A Girl Swallowed by a Tree: Lotha Naga Tales Retold” by Nzanmongi Jasmine Patton, on May 12017, at School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi. Dr. Zuchamo Yanthan, the President of Naga Scholar Association, welcomed the audience with an epigrammatic comment that the book ‘Lotha Naga Tales Retold’ reflects once cherished and pristine Nagas’ way of life and fosters a greater sense of appreciation and encouraged imagination of the distance past. The author of the book, Nzanmongi, Assistant Professor in Gargi College, University of Delhi, recounted her craving in bringing this sundry collection of Lotha Naga stories, and said these narratives were not hers but community’s stories. The tiny stories in Lotha Naga tale retold, she said, are not just mere stories but a history, culture, identity and origin of the Lotha Nagas. She said her challenge in this book lies in bringing diverse collection of narratives, thereby projecting multiplicity of wide-ranging Naga narrations. The audience participated in discussion on Naga oral tradition and its various aspects, the importance and functions of oral narratives, and various other aspects of oral literature in perspectives. The president and general secretary in a press release said the launching of the book has encouraged the young Naga scholars to think and stimulated a sense of belongingness, oneness and appreciation of their past history. The discussion also challenged the Naga scholars to connect, engage and write the untold stories of our past history before it become extinct. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Lungthuiyang Riamei, Joint Secretary of NSA.