Rev Dr Wati Aier (3rd from right), and others during the launch of the 2nd edition of Late Panger Imchen’s ‘Ancient Ao Naga Religion and Culture’ at at DBIDL, Don Bosco School on January 22.
Morung Express News
Dimapur | January 22
The second edition of Late Panger Imchen’s ‘Ancient Ao Naga Religion and Culture’ was launched Saturday here at DBIDL, Don Bosco School, in commemoration of the golden jubilee celebration of Onpangkong Senso Telonjem Dimapur.
Emeritus professor of Constructive Theology & Philosophy, Oriental Theological Seminary, Rev Dr Wati Aier, launched the book and offered dedicatory prayer.
Publisher of the book, Dr Lanusangla Tzudir (Heritage Publishing House), in her publisher’s note said the need for the second edition of the book was found to be necessary because of the originality of the research and the primary resources that the author had referred to.
“Many of the works on the past on the Ao Naga continue to rely on ethnographic works of the British administrators which are imbued with ethnocentric thinking and binarism of the self and other. However, Imchen’s work is one of the pioneering work done by someone from the Ao Naga community, from the perspective of the community; a story of the underside,” the publisher said.
Dr Panger Kechu, who presented a review of the book said in his opinion, the genius of Late Imchen lay in his ability to strike a balance between the Ao traditional culture and Christianity: how Ao Nagas can be good Christians and at the same time maintain their distinct cultural identity
According to Dr Kechu, the author in the book also hinted that Ao religious practices and beliefs prepared the Ao Nagas to accept Christianity without much resistance. Like Christianity, the Ao religious culture also believed in a supreme being and also the belief in life after death.
Apong Imchen, the elder brother of the late author also spoke on behalf of the family and a father-daughter duo from the Ao Musical Revival presented ‘Kubu Lima’, a song composed by late Panger Imchen.
Earlier, Imnatoshi Longkumer invoked God’s blessings and convenor, OSTD golden jubilee Planning Committee, Dr Temsuwati Longkumer proposed vote of thanks. Tiatemsu Longchar, chaired the book release programme.
Born in 1958, Late Panger Imchen hailed fom Mangmetong village in Mokokchung district. He received his bachelor degrees (B. Th 1978 and BD 1980) from Serampore University and Masters Degree (M Th 1987) from SAIACS-ATA, Bangalore). He started his career as a lecturer in Clark Theological College and also served as director of Research and Documentation Centre, Naga Scholars Society, Dimapur.
