Nürü erü yanglanü tsingye, erü khyang dunushi…
Even if you leave our village, don’t forget us…
That is the meaning of the welcome song sung by the Santam Naga men and women of Insukuru village in Nagaland’s Kiphire district, where I spent the past week as a shodhyatri (traveler and researcher).
This was part of the 50th Shodhyatra organized by SRISTI, a movement started nearly 30 years ago by Padma Shri Professor Anil Gupta to track and support grassroots innovation. When our contingent of nearly 55 people arrived at the village of Insukul for a night’s stay, we found that they were ready to provide everything they could.
More than a dozen vegetables, pulses, and local delicacies were waiting for us, along with fresh bamboo cutlery, glasses, and spoons. But what mattered most was the constant smiles, offerings and patience as we luxuriated in the best prepared dishes.
The next day, as I fell asleep listening to the songs and laughter of a beautiful group of women preparing another freshly cooked breakfast for their valued guests, they stopped regretting not having been able to provide a better breakfast. I couldn’t.
But there’s more to it…
We walked over 100 kilometers through more than a dozen villages of Kiphire and appreciated the many innovations of the Nagas in the fields of agriculture, animal husbandry and medicine that have won the hearts of Nagas of all generations. Some observations:
- Innovation abounds: The most important thing to highlight about Naga life and culture is the nature-friendly agriculture that has enabled the productivity and biodiversity of their land for generations. and learning healthy habits. The Tetuyo village tribe deserves special mention as they impose fines on hunting in the village.
- Long and active lives and lies: It is very common to find Nagas who are over 100 years old and healthy and full of energy. When asked about the secret to a long life, one of the village elders of Amahator answered, “Don’t lie and be active.” This secret formula gives Nagas an insight into the importance of values in human longevity.
- Discipline and trust: In the village of Anatongre, we came across a public granary where villagers packed their produce and stored it unlocked. At a fundamental level, we can only say that locking means the emergence of doubts about trust. Therefore, a granary without a lock means that the Nagas perceive social trust.
- A tradition of sharing, not selling: everywhere from Anatongre to Amahatl to the village of Sitimi, people were willing to share but reluctant to sell. They often had trouble quoting prices for produce and refused to charge for homemade food. The Naga subconscious understands that need-based exchange is a better principle for building a just society. Our experience with purely purchasing power-based systems suggests that they tend to ignore the have-nots.
- Patience: We were often hours late, sometimes well beyond the villagers’ lunch and dinner time. However, they waited hours for our group to arrive and eat our food. The age-old wisdom of feeding others before one’s own body is a tradition and close to Naga consciousness.
- Fulfillment of promises: Nagas never cut short on the programs they promise. They braved the cold and, in the case of Tetuyo village, the darkness, and performed all their songs and dances as planned. The importance of keeping their promises must have existed from the time when it was considered as good as a legal guarantee enforced by one’s own conscience.
- Warmth and Appreciation: Life in a Naga village is surrounded by a lot of warmth and hospitality. Our hosts in Sitimi village provided 24 vegetarian options. When was the last time you asked for food and were presented with 20 different options? Imagine a tradition of expressing gratitude.
- Water and Fire: Winter life in Naga villages begins and ends around fire and hot water. If there is a delay in supply, they don’t worry about it, they just share it. By sharing water and fire, they will treat you as their own. If you’re not there, simply join their wait. There’s no need to panic or panic.
- Communal Living: Most villages have one tribe that dominates the landscape. Some tribes can have multiple tribes. However, when it comes to marriage and socializing, these barriers are irrelevant. Community is the key to maintaining cultural connections, not a tool to force one on the other.
- Respect for Elders: Nagas highly respect village elders and local leaders, usually men who work closely with the local church to provide a sense of socio-cultural security. The hierarchical structure appears to be harmonious and well-maintained.
- Church-Centered Life: Naga life revolves around singing, mass, and the bell-ringing of the local church, which is usually the tallest building and largest community area in the village. Pastors often serve as mentors and advisors to society.
- Churches as cultural centers: In almost every village, local churches are facilitators of community engagement, mobilization, and empowerment. And for practical purposes, local culture melds with otherworldly chimes.
- Invoking God: All group programs begin with a psalm to God in the Nagame language, followed by dancing and singing in the tribe’s dialect in brightly colored traditional costumes. Remembering God is common to almost every culture. The Nagas are practicing it with great enthusiasm.
- English and Nagames: Younger Nagas are generally fluent in English. They also often have names that combine Biblical terms and Nagamese words. English names, such as Leo, are easier for visitors to remember and pronounce. Although the Nagas use local names when addressing each other.
- Women dominate cultural life: Women dominate the cultural life of Naga society and appear to play a leading role in traditional songs, music and dance. However, men also play an active role in cultural expressions and performances about courage.
- Open and free: Naga society does not hide its face and does not hide its laughter. They will open up and join you without hesitation. Nor do we have restrictive inhibitions or prejudices towards others. The great Nagas live in the present and form their worldview based on respect and confidence.
- Public infrastructure: The government has reached these remote areas in the form of water, internet, electricity, roads, and toilets. Infrastructure is rapidly improving in the Naga hinterland.
postscript:
Nagas exhibit a high level of discipline and independence in their personal and social lives. Nagas originate from the tradition of giving back more than they receive, and as young Nagas look beyond Nagaland, it is a little questionable whether they will be able to win the hearts of people everywhere. It may become.
Like most of us who have never been to Nagaland, I too had doubts before leaving. No more.
Disclaimer
The views expressed above are the author’s own.
end of article