Banner Tort Reign: Hello!! Dear brothers and sisters from India,I would like to greet all of you Happy New Year! Upon requests from some brothers and sisters from India to share the situation of Nagas in Myanmar(Burma), I am very pleased to share as much as I can catch up with the info. As some of you have already known, I am a Naga from Myanmar, now in the US for studies.
1. There is no data released by the Gov about the population of Nagas in Myanmar, but it is estimated to be between 3 hundred thousands to 4 hundred thousands according to religious based data (not very sure one).
2. There are four main tribes which are Thang Shang, Tang Khul, Makuri, Para and Lainaung mainly in five towns, note that there are still many clans and dialects which are totally unique from each other even within each main tribe. For example, in Thang Shang (former named Heimi) tribe, there are 54 clans with different dialects.
3. The Burmese Gov assigned Naga Self-Administered Area combination of three township, Nanyun, Lahe and Lahee according to 2008 new hybrid constitution. Lahee is the capital of the self-administered area.
4. The literacy rate of Nagas is supposed to be under 1% of the population.
5. Most of the people even don't know what health care is.
6. It can be said that the political situation and the percentage of repression are getting better than the former military government.
7. So far, there is no Naga political party yet.
*Nagas in Myanmar is the least developed even among other undeveloped 365 ethnics groups.
Okay, let's call it a day, there are so many things to tell if you want to know. If u wanna know more, just post questions. I am willing to share as far as I know.
Thungchanpeni Patton: Oh! Its sad to learn that the one city of naga that also under alien control. What I only knew about ur area is that it is much bigger than our Nagaland but the whole land is underdeveloped. Keep us informing. Btw Happy New year to u too!
Vikeduo Linyü: Can you tell me more about the Naga New year festival, i think its a big tourist attraction. I think we should have cultural exchange where Cultural troops from Nagaland can participate in the Naga new year celebration and The Nagas in Burma can come for the Hornbill festival in Nagaland held every year in Kohima from 1st dec-7th. Hope Govt of nagaland takes some initiative instead of bringing Burmese cultural troops
Banner Tort Reign: Yeah of course, it's celebrated on 15 Jan in every corner of our areas. One biggest of all is held at one of the three townships every year. In the past, it was sponsored by Burmese Gov and gave tourist contract to some of Burmese tour companies. But in 2010, the Gov didn't allow tourists to enter the region especially Nanyun which is on Steel Wheel highway. I don't know what will happen this year, the main celebration of New Yr 2012 will be held in Lashee this year. It is sorrowful to tell that there is no Burmese Naga doctor and engineers, but there are some around five students currently studying engineering but no medical students yet. Yes I am a big dream and plan to develop educational sector when I graduated, and also I will need the hands of brothers and sisters from India. Mostly Christianity (Baptist) but there are some about 10% are Buddhists.
Thierie Belleo: This post is for friends who wish to take a trip to Myanmar. there is flight to Thailand via Kolkata and you take another flight from Thailand to Yangon, one of the city in Myanmar. Officially travel is possible, so come visit us.
Kezhangulie Kire: I believe i'd posted something about the 'Naga New Year Fest' of Myanmar sometime last month i.e. dec 2010. Well i guess no harm in sharing the little that i am aware of aAgain in this page... Well a friend of mine gave me the info that this years' Naga new year fest will be held from the 15th till 17th Jan. At Leyshe township, which will be organised under the NAGA YOYA(the Apex Naga Body). This year plus attraction will be Free entry (sans visa) for the Nagas from Nagaland (Promised by the MLA of the area who happens to be a Naga himself) other attractions will be Naga Tribe cultural showcase(21 Myanmar Naga Tribes) & also Museum. I have a feeling this fest is something like our own 'Hornbill Festival' here in Nagaland. The distance from Kohima I heard is 200Km to Somi via Jessami & from there 40 miles Rent Bike Ride to the township(Leyshe- venue).
Evolution of The Naga Blog:
Yenn Walling: Been following TNB for quite sometime now, most of the time as a silent observer, reading the posts, comments, exchange of healthy arguments and truce being made. Our people from around the world coming together in a forum exchanging ideas, views, joy, anguish and emotions on all types of issues prevalent under the sun is truly inspiring, which I believe not many 'institutions' provide :) Over the time, it has dawned on me how much our people are hungry for unity, brotherhood and identity. We're all torn my social stigmas and divisions rooting from language, tribes, caste, u name it! I've read comments that voice anguish. And as I read those lines, I realize they are not angry or bitter beings just trying to poison a conversation, they are just voices of our people shouting, if not screaming for recognition and empathy.
To know suffering, one doesn't always need to see it. The greatest kind of sufferings are the ones that are felt from within, the kind that disrupts the mind and soul. And for a 'young' naga like me who unfortunately hasn't had the chance to travel her own state and know much, this Blog has brought light on several areas that were in the dark. I've read comments like, "oh my God! really? this is what is happening in Nagaland? I never knew!!" :) TNB as a group is consciously and many a times unconsciously touching lives, not only by that act of reaching out to victims of natural calamities, but also by voicing our minds and hearts free of any kind of reservation.
Its heartwarming to see one and all coming together with varied opinions and yielding respect and love irrespective of who we are. I can't help but wonder, "what if our land was actually like this?" Or maybe, it already is and all we need is that spark, like Isaac Newton says "If I have seen any farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulder of giants." Maybe what our people need is for those giants to step up and lead, and the rest will just follow because at the end of the day, I do think our people have the greatest of hearts that's ready for servant hood (as in the Bible). Take for instance, just recently some of the members in this blog like Yanpvuo Kikon, Peter Rutsa and the rest took the initiative to step up, and how many stood up along with them? I think that itself is enough to show how much our people are in need for that 'right kind of leadership'. By saying this, am not condemning our present leaders. I'am sure they've a lot going on of their own. So instead of looking at them with batting eyes and tongues ready to lash out when they do nothing, maybe we all can stand where we are and bring that change we so desire? Or is it just too hard and easier said? :)
Well, bottom line is I think we're headed to the right path as long as we carry this torch of unity and accountability.
Blessings ^^
