Naga elder Medoselhou Keretsü shared traditional knowledge and oral heritage at the third edition of Unscripted in Kohima.
KOHIMA — The third edition of ‘Unscripted: storytelling, conversations and creative dialogues,’ an initiative of Writers Collective Kohima, was held on Saturday at The BookHome on Billy Graham Road, Kohima.
Speaking at the event, Naga elder Medoselhou Keretsü shared his experiences and the wisdom passed down to him by the elders of his community through oral traditions.
Keretsü recalled growing up during a time when village life strictly followed the agricultural calendar and religious practices rooted in Isa na, the beliefs of their forefathers. He said that people’s lives were shaped by the values and lessons learned in communal spaces.
He narrated several cultural practices handed down through oral traditions by parents and elders, including traditional Angami customs related to marriage, funeral rites, the justice system, and beliefs in the supernatural.
Appreciating the organisers for recognising the importance of preserving oral heritage, Keretsü said such platforms provide opportunities for older generations to share the wisdom they have inherited.
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He stressed that documenting these stories is essential to ensuring that rich cultural traditions do not disappear and encouraged younger generations to continue the practice of oral storytelling.
A resident of Kohima Village and a prominent community figure, Keretsü is regarded as a custodian of Naga culture and traditions because of his extensive knowledge.
He previously served as chairman of the Kohima Village Council, general secretary of the Senior Citizens' Association of Nagaland, and speaker of the Naga Hoho.
Meanwhile, Writers Collective Kohima general secretary Vizovono Elizabeth said Unscripted was initiated by a group of like-minded individuals brought together by their love for literature and storytelling.
She said the collective, which aims to nurture and promote literature in Nagaland, has been organising the annual Nagaland Literature Festival (NLF) since 2021.
To facilitate more frequent literary engagements, the group launched Unscripted as an additional platform for storytelling and creative dialogue.
Elizabeth said the collective currently has eight members and hopes to expand in the future as it continues its literary initiatives.
She added that in contemporary times, such gatherings offer a creative way to adapt and revive the storytelling tradition, helping to keep it alive for future generations.