Nature Is Closely Tied to Identity of Nagaland
The 68th Biennial Literary and Cultural Day was
held by the SASU (Southern Angami Students Union) on the 27th of
January, 2018, at the Khuzama Local Ground. This event had the Cognizing Culture Identity theme and the
Guest Speaker was Er Khose Sale, the Chief Engineer at the Department of Power
in Kohima, Nagaland. He declared that the theme centers on the concept of identity which is a manifestation of
several cultures and values of human beings and also makes up the progressive
elements in all ancient beliefs, customs that are practice, social
organizations and ways of life of diverse ethnic communities and groups. Cognizing entails on total knowledge and
preservation of these practices and the very essence here is the power to
choose or make a decision.
Widely expounding into the theme, the Guest Speaker talked
of how there is a need for more recording and documentation of Nagaland’s
history as per the latest Nagaland live
news reports. Nagaland news
reports also highlighted the emphasis placed on academic research by Er Khose
Sale. The rich cultural past of Nagaland has to be documented urgently in order
to preserve the same according to him. He also added that there is oral
scattering of several elements of local culture which had to be recorded
swiftly in order to pass them onto the next generations.
Sale also stated that traditions and culture have to evolve
in order to sync with local customs, mindsets, attitudes and identity. He
talked of how identity of Nagaland
people in this case was linked to nature in several ways, including
forests, mountains, flora and fauna, land, rivers, trees and so on. Losing
these natural resources entails losing identity. As a result, protection of
nature is the key towards preserving natural identities of several tribal
cultures according to Sale. From the practices followed by men and Nagaland women to the Nagaland food images that have gained a
huge following worldwide, there is a need to preserve and document every aspect
of the State’s culture and identity.
Naga tradition and history contains nuggets of learning,
wisdom and culture that speak of sustainability and ecology. The identity of
Nagaland is thus closely tied to Nature itself, starting with cultural
practices, habitats, clan systems and other institutional practices,
story-telling, folklore and even gennas and taboos according to participants at
the event. Sale also talked of how food gathering activities like hunting and
fishing were also sustainable traditions for Nagaland, while noting that several
contemporary practices have
led to a disruption of the entire existential chain. Focusing on furthering
traditions and cultures will keep values intact and also boost the economy
according to him.
The President of
SASU, Ketholeto Anthony Zashiimo, also addressed the gathering and talked of
how the theme which was meant to explore and further the rich tradition and
cultures of the State. There are several modernizing forces which are
disrupting the community and making the next generations unmindful of their
cultural pasts and traditions. This event strived to revive the same through
discussions and several activities. More than 700 students participated in the
event from Southern Angami’s 13 villages along with elders and other guests
from Angami regions.
10 villages took part in the cultural
competition cum exhibition. The President of the Naga Student Federation or
NSF, Kesosul Christopher Ltu, addressed the gathering at the event,
highlighting the rising levels of unemployment amongst today’s youth. There was
a quiz contest on the Angami Naga history and traditions along with folk dance,
original story writing, Tati, painting and Mepfii Kero (war cry) competitions.
The current Mr. and Miss SASU 2018 crowns went to Kezoma Village’s Siivito
Mekro and Kigwema Village’s Vikhotsono Khora respectively
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