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Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Jan. 16 (EMN): A book titled ‘Aor Kilung Oset’ (Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao Nagas) was released by T Senka Ao, former AKM president and recipient of Padma Shri Award and Governor’s Award in Ao Literature.
The book was released in presence of Ao Women Organisation (Watsü Mungdang), Ao Senden Literature Board and others at AKM conference hall on Monday.
The book-launch is an initiative of the Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) as per the resolution adopted during the AKM General Conference 2019 at Khar village.
As per the resolution, AKM declared the years 2020 to 2029 as the “AKM decade for the preservation and promotion of the Ao Naga language.”
It may be noted that the year 2029 coincides with the centennial year of AKM.
The book took years to compile as competition on ‘Aor kilung Oset Jaya’ was held and materials for the book were collected from various sources under a committee led by Dr. Lanurenla along with P Tiatemsu, Repabenla, Sentilong Ozukum, Sashimeren, Akangnungdang and Imlolangba DB.
The book contains detailed information of 37 household crafts using bamboo and cane cords; 42 household craft using bamboo, 20 woodcrafts, 13 metal/earth/stone crafts and 18 other household crafts.
Addressing the launching programme, T Senka Ao said the book is first-of-its-kind initiative of the AKM, which is a valuable contribution to enrich the Ao language.
He said with the ever-evolving lifestyle, the practical usage of household crafts has diminished.
In this connection, he said that “there is a philosophy behind every household craft used by our forebears and we should try to understand this philosophical meaning and used it in our language which would enrich the Ao language.”
Senka further encouraged the AKM to initiate more projects as there are more fields to be covered where books need to be written.
AKM president, Nungdokyanger Ao, informed that the book launch is only the first phase and such initiatives will be a continuous process as resolved during the AKM’s General Conference 2019.
Published by the Heritage Publishing House, the book was sponsored by North East Zone Cultural Centre and translated at the Language Translation Centre, Fazl Ali College. The book will be available at 69th AKM General Conference to be held at Akhoya village.