Roots, land and culture discussed at White Owl Literature Fe
Roots, land and culture discussed at White Owl Literature Festival
Founder of Eleutheros Christian Society, Rev. Dr. Chingmak Kejong Chang, on Monday said that the situation in the eastern part of Nagaland is ‘really sad’, especially for young people and there is a dilemma among parents of whether to send their children to school or not
Panellists in discussion with the moderator, Theyie Keditsu,
at the ongoing second edition of the White Owl Literature Festival and Book
Fair at Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima on Monday.
DIMAPUR — Founder
of Eleutheros Christian Society, Rev. Dr. Chingmak Kejong Chang, on Monday said
that the situation in the eastern part of Nagaland is ‘really sad’, especially
for young people and there is a dilemma among parents of whether to send their
children to school or not.
The reverend made this remark during a panel discussion on
"Roots in transit: reimagining identity, preserving indigeneity" at
the ongoing second edition of the White Owl Literature Festival and Book Fair
at the Zone Niathu by the Park in Chümoukedima.
He shared that after leaving the village to receive an
education, young people often find themselves unemployable and unable to secure
employment. Upon returning to the village, they are unable to engage in
farming, leaving them with no clear path forward. This, he explained, is the
dilemma faced by young people in the villages.
In this connection, he opined that how education is defined
and perceived is another aspect to consider. He also raised the question of how
young people can be trained to remain connected to the land and culture.
Sharing an anecdote from his days in a village as a pastor
and reflecting on the current scene, which has been facing numerous challenges,
he pointed out that many changes have occurred.
He recalled attending a funeral where the women began
weeping around the deceased. He said that when he listened to the mourning
song, he was moved to tears, as the songs were powerful, recounting what had
been done and what had happened in that particular year.
He expressed concern that such traditions are being lost,
emphasising the importance of recognising where they are now. He further stated
that many are connected to the land and that culture cannot exist without a
connection to it.
Writer and journalist from Arunachal Pradesh and former
civil servant Mamang Dai opined that when discussing roots, it is clear that
everyone comes from somewhere, and that is where their roots lie.
However, she noted that this space is also somewhat
flexible, as whether individuals are truly rooted or not is another question.
She added that even within rooted communities, individuals create their own
identities within the strict confines of the community.
Dai said that sometimes one reaches a point where
imagination feels stronger than knowledge, as imagination allows for time
travel, envisioning the future, and reflecting on the past.
In discussing roots in transit, she pointed out the issue of
language, noting that many are already speaking in English. She remarked that
this is one weapon, and whether the changes that have come are for good or bad
is another matter for a larger discussion.
She also raised the question of religion, suggesting that
when discussing transit or transition, the importance of land surpasses
politics, religion, language, and even the topics discussed in literary
circles. She asserted that it is the land that truly matters in the end.
Dai expressed that she often wishes she could write more
essays, as they allow one to pick up topics and give opinions. She noted that
as a writer, one is always observing, almost invisible. In non-fiction, she has
tried to highlight fringe histories and lost histories, explaining that theirs
is an oral tradition, with stories passed down by word of mouth. She mentioned
that by pursuing small snippets of stories, they can often expand into much
larger narratives if one continues to follow them.
Journalist and policy expert Sanjoy Hazarika said that,
having spent his entire life travelling in different parts of the world and
across various regions of the northeast, one thing that has always helped him
is listening to people's stories.
He shared that everyone is a storyteller, with some telling
stories better than others. He pointed out that everyone carries stories within
them, even those from schools who encounter stories every day at home or at
school and discuss them with friends.
He emphasised that the key lies in how these stories are
shared, explained, and expanded upon. He further stated that the greatest
learning about his roots has come from travel, as one learns more through
travel, listening, reading, and observing, rather than merely talking.
He said that he often reflects on the issue of
reconciliation when he comes to Nagaland, recognising its importance for the
people there. He noted that, for him, there is a great deal of pain, grief,
sorrow, sadness, and darkness.
He asserted that, amidst all the challenges, there are
amazing stories coming out of Nagaland, such as those of reconciliation, which,
in his view, are stories rarely told outside the region.
