The main objective of Nandita Haksar’s resource book is to “encourage the development of courses on Naga history and culture in schools and colleges”. She has “tried applying” (in her own words) the principles laid down in Unesco’s Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity 2001 by looking at Naga cultural diversity as a living and renewable treasure. Another vital bit of information, she concedes rather candidly as a “personal reason” for this book, is that she is married to a Naga.
The author says right at the beginning that she is “not an anthropologist interested in strange customs and rituals” and that her “happiest memories were times spent in Naga homes, sitting around the kitchen fire”. Haksar has been associated with Nagas for over 30 years as a human rights lawyer and also involved in exposing human rights violations committed by Indian security forces during counter-insurgency operations.
This tome is quite a treasure trove containing not just the ABC but rather the A-Z of Naga traditions, identity, festivals, youth and everything in between. From Chapter A that deals with Naga art, artifacts and aesthetics, through G (globalisation) and L (languages, linguistic human rights), R (religion, revival and resistance), T (tribes, tours and tourism) to Z (Zeliangrong Movement) Haksar has produced a marvellous compilation that explores every possible facet of a people’s culture and civilisation.
Reading it is can become a “learning experience” with teasers at the end of every chapter to make you more involved as you progress page by page, test your absorption and nudge you to explore beyond.
Chapter Q on “Quota, questions and quest”, a pertinent “Do you think the struggle of Naga women to assert their right to equality will destroy Naga cultural heritage or will (sic) enrich it?” could trigger a reader to ponder a while. A majority of the women are not keen to give up their Naga identity and sometimes oppose other women’s fight for equality because they think change will undermine their cultural identity. Haksar opines, “This conflict can be resolved only if Naga society becomes more inclusive to include women in decision making at all levels of society.”
While the presentation is certainly commendable, the text and language could have been improved with some editing. There are long quotations and repetitive definitions that lend the author’s voice a didactic tone instead of leaving it to the reader to interpret the text instead. Nonetheless, considering the material is entirely information based, this aspect can be overlooked somewhat. Each chapter is well demarcated and relevant illustrations and photographs add visual appeal.
Haksar delves into the Naga religion and the impact of Christianity on it. She comments, “The conversion of Nagas to Christianity by foreign missionaries led to a conflict between the new converts and the Nagas practising their old religion.” However, she also mentions that the official religion of the Nagas, according to the Constitution of the National Socialist Council of Nagalim, is Protestant Christianity. Thus, neither Naga religion nor non-Protestant forms of Christianity are included.
In Chapter W, where she starts with the tribe Wancho, Haksar moves on to women, Westernisation and way of life. One of the most important aspects of culture is the attire of the people. Communities preserve their identities by promoting traditional dress; sometimes donning Western attire may be an assertion of freedom or an imposition of dominant culture.
The section on Naga cuisine and diet starts off humorously. “Nagas… eat everything that flies except an airplane, and everything that moves except the (sic) human being!” That’s actually true for their diet includes pork, beef, fish, tiger, monkey head, elephant, frogs, python, larvae of wasps, silkworms, cats and dogs! Animal lovers would probably have a fit reading this bit of information. But there are tribes that do not consume some of this meat, since it is taboo for them.
Haksar then digresses to write on what is wrong with fast food and its destructive effects on health and culture, particularly in the USA and with specific accusations levelled at McDonalds. She says the consequences of how we live, the lifestyle we choose, are borne by millions of people every minute. One can discourage unfair trade, sweatshops, child labour and cruelty to animals when choosing our commodities, is her conclusion.
She feels the values of “individualism and consumption are destroying Naga culture and its society”. Traditional Naga values were based on the principle of “each according to his ability, to each according to his need”.
Chapter H on history and historiography, also includes a bizarre topic: head hunting! Colonial writers constructed the image of the Naga as a savage headhunter, but this was by suppressing historical facts relating to how they settled disputes. However, historians tend to interpret historical facts in the light of their political bias, is her explanation.
Nandita Haksar’s 30 years of experience as a human rights lawyer, teacher and campaigner for the Nagas have made her best equipped to write about them. Compiling this tome undoubtedly entailed methodical and meticulous research. And this resource book is as much for the academic or activist as for the occasional curious layman eager to build up their Naga knowledge bank. If you are one, your quest ends here.
A Resource Book:
Nandita Haksar
Published by Promila & Co.
Courtesy: The Statesman
