“Loss of religion is loss of culture
Loss of culture is loss of identity” - Padma Bhusan Rani Gaidinliu
The Revival of Naga Civilization
Addressing the students on the occasion of the 42nd Dimapur Angami Students’ Union Freshers’ Meet on 6-10-2006 as Chief Guest, Deputy Chairman, Dimapur Municipal Council, DP Angami described culture as identity of a community/society and appealed the students to preserve Naga culture and tradition along with education (Eastern Mirror 7-10-2006). Nagaland Governor Shyamal Datta said on 5-10-2006 that it is culture not politics that determines the society. Speaking in Tsokum festival of the Khiamungan tribe at cultural panorama at State Academy Hall Kohima organised by Eastern Naga People’s Union Kohima (EMPUK), the Governor reminded that culture is not stagnant but dynamic and it keeps on changing with passage of time. He said further that though the four districts – Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Longleng are remote from state Capital yet the people – Konyak, Chang, Khiamungan, Yimchunger, Sangtam and Phom, have shown that they are bestowed with a rich culture (Nagaland Post 6-10-2006).
Limalenden Longkumer Mokokchung wrote an article – Cultural Renaissance – Calling All Naga Youths, in which he said that all Naga youths should actively participate in Naga cultural activities, customary or modern, and encourage friends to do the same (Eastern Mirror 14-10-2006). Limalenden said further, “It is a total misconception among the general Naga Youths today that if one is not tattooed or if one does not eat MTV, drink Hollywood and sleep Bollywood or use derogatory language or if one do not make some bellicose hip-hop gestures, then he is old fashioned and not “sophisticated”. What’s hip-hop got to offer us anyway? It is for us to face this challenge and avoid blindly imitating the West. Limalenden added, “Give me one reason why we should imitate the west, reader, and I shall give you ten reasons why we shouldn’t. He says further that if Naga youths practise serene and colourful Naga culture, the Naga society will soon experience a soothing effect. They will realize gradually that Nagas have missed something so special and beautiful which they had foolishly sought to find by blindly imitating the braggart Western hip-hop culture a.k.a. Hollywood, a.k.a. MTV (Eastern Mirror 14-10-2006). Lenden calls upon Naga parents and Naga Youths to uphold Naga Identity, “When we do not have ourselves deeply rooted in our culture, our civilization will not survive the test of the time. For, how could a tree survive after its being uprooted? Our social organizations and true sons and daughters of the soil should patriotically protest against alien and unethical practices and values that threaten the very foundation of Naga society.” said shri Limalenden and gave a clarion call, “Friends, Nagas, countrymen, lend me your ears. Let us promise not to surrender ourselves to the western craze.” About the West, shri Limalenden said, “What these braggart attention mongers portray about themselves in the media is totally fallacious.” He concluded that if the seed of Naganess is sowed in the minds of the Naga youths and nourished with the light and water of Naga cultural heritage, the tree that would grow will never be uprooted even by the strongest western wind. In the context of evil effects of blind Americanisation of Naga society, Tikhir Students’ Union Dimapur stated in a press release that Nagas cannot transform to Americans or Americans to Nagas (The Morung Express 14-10-2006). Speaking on the occasion of Yemshe – the premier festival of the Pochury Naga – S Katiry, Director of Printing and Stationery said that Yemshe is the festival to welcome harvest and blessing from God. He said that no one is allowed to harvest until the whole period of the festival is over. It is time of merry making, building and renewing friendship and relationship, entering into matrimony. Yitachu, Parliamentary Secretary said that our festivals bring about a positive outlook and build individuals to create community image and purification of mind, heart and soul. He called upon the people to uphold the true spirit of festival and practice good values (Eastern Mirror 6.10.2006). Chonta Khiamungan, General Secretary of Khiamungan Union Kohima has described the significance of Tsokum Festival observed in the first week of October each year before harvest (Nagaland Post 6.10.2006). R Joseph, Vice President of Tikhir Tribal Council and S Kiusumong, I.iterary Secretary Tikhir Students’ Union have described and upheld the celebration of Tsonglaknyi festival of Tikhirs (The Morung Express 6.10.2006). While speaking in the annual assembly of Japfu Phiki Kruna Kesoko Kehou, an organisation of Angami Nagas following Indigenous faith in Mima village, Neiphiu Rio, then an MLA, said that follower of indigenous faith are original Nagas and they should always uphold indigenous faith. He also urged upon Church leaders not to convert the followers of indigenous faith because if every Naga is converted to Christianity, the indigenous faith, culture and identity of Naga society would be lost forever. Thus, major Naga tribes have diverted their attention on reviving their culture. They have realized that old generation of Naga society will soon disappear. And with them, the treasure of Indigenous knowledge pertaining to Naga indigenous religion, culture, customs, traditions, festivals, customary laws, folk dances, folk songs and folk tales etc. will also disappear. In their place, Western culture, hedonic consumerism and indiscipline will take place. Today’s English educated Naga youths are inclined in following western culture. This realisation has made them to revive their culture. This is the reason that Sekrenyi (Angami), Moatsu (Ao), Tuluni (Sema) and Tokhu Emong (Lotha) festivals are celebrated with piety by the advanced Nagas like Angamis, Aos, Semas and Lothas. They try their level best to revive the spiritual aspect of these festivals. Chaga Gadi – a festival of Zeliangrong Nagas once considered as a satanic tradition by some people under the influence of western religion and culture, is today celebrated with great fanfare by every section of the Zeliangrong community. The photos of Haipou Jadonang and Padma Bhushan Rani Gaidinliu are adored by every Zeliangrong family. They are regarded as living entity of Naga religion and culture.
Reaction from Church
Unfortunately, the Church organization in Nagaland has always been very critical to indigenous faith and culture of Naga society. They dubbed our forefathers as wild, savage, naked, cannibal, heathen and pagan. They conveniently ignored the civic sense, virtues, community life, honesty, hospitality and industrious nature of our forefathers. They described indigenous faith of Nagas as devil worship and indigenous culture and festivals as satanic practices. The Church asked the church-goers to bury all the costly and rare customary ornaments and garments. They prohibited indigenous rice-beer (madhu). But western culture, Christian religion, foreign liquor and English songs were popularised. American and British societies were projected as the ideal societies in front of Nagas. Now also, some of the Naga reverends describe Naga indigenous faith as mere animism performed out of psychological and superstitious belief and worship of unknown god or spirit. Rev L Souhie Mhasi expresses his displeasure over revival of animistic festivals. He describes Sekrenyi – the festival of Angamis, as a festival consecration for male folks. Rev. Mhasi said, “After our conversion into Christianity we believe that we can be cleansed by shed blood of Jesus Christ only and no animal sacrifice can consecrate us. So far, as Christians we need no other means for consecrating us and we have nothing to do with Sekrenyi and other animistic festivals of the like. Supposing a cultural programme is being held in the name of Durga, Diwali or Id, a Christian will not feel free to participate in it. The animistic festivals are the same.” Rev Mhasi said further, “Many professed Christians do not have Christian’s sentiments of conscience. They try to bring revival of animistic sentiments. In observation of festivals, performing religious rites are displayed by killing domestic animals. Is it preservation of culture? It is an attempt to revive the heathen religion. Fortune or blessing is invoked through seasonal festivals but we (Christians) have forsaken all such beliefs and accepted Jesus Christ as the only way, truth and life, We cannot embrace both Christ and pagan god (Northeast Herald 19.10.2006). As per Rev. Mhasi, admixture of Christianity and pagan worshipping festivals is in vogue and is a grieving of the Holy Spirit. Our people are dancing into liberalism and spiritual lukewarmness in the name of preservation of culture. This reverend and others too say that culture should be preserved but not at the expense of Christian faith. For Christian workers, as it appears, culture is merely dances for entertainment and feasts for enjoyment. This is wrong. In fact, culture is the way of life. It encompasses total ethos and spiritual aspect of the society. Indigenous religion is the soul of the culture. For this very fact, Christianity comes in conflict with indigenous faith and culture of the land where the Church operates. Thus, the practice of Christianity involves the destruction of Naga religion and culture. However, history is the testimony of the fact that Christianity flourished in a particular land under the patronage or a King or Political Leaders. The Church has destroyed many civilizations of the world in the countries like USA, UK, Africa and elsewhere. The church leaders do this in the name of “Living God of Bible” to replace “Unknown God” of indigenous people.
Message from USA
USA and UK are strong political ally on international fora. Both the Christian countries particularly USA are the strongest preachers of Baptist Christianity in the world. The Baptist Christianity was brought over in Nagaland by American and British Christian missionaries under the patronage of British Crown who admired to create a “Crown Colony” in Nagaland in Independent India. However, what is the condition of Christianity in USA? I would like to refer a news item – ‘Is God dead? Atheism finds a market in US’ (Eastern Mirror 19.10.2006). The news item from Chicago reported by Reuters says, “A fresh wave of atheistic books has hit the market this autumn, some climbing on to best seller lists in what proponents see as a backlash against the way religion is entwined in politics (Eastern Mirror 19.10.20 06). “Religion is fragmenting the human community,” said Sam Harris, author of “Letter to a Christian Nation”, No.11 on the New York Times non fiction list on Oct 15, 2006. “Religious polarization is part of many world conflicts including those involving Israel and: Iran,” said Sam Harris. Because of mixture of Christianity with politics and superstitions, Americans are turning fire atheist. Churches are empty. American Churches are employing missionaries from Southeast Asia.
Same is the case of U.K. In both the countries – USA and U.K., Hinduism is spreading like wild fire. Why? Because Christianity does not provide spiritual solace to ultra-modem societies in USA and UK and because their indigenous religion and culture have been completely destroyed. They cannot return to their forefathers’ roots. In search of spiritual solace and peace of mind they are embracing Hinduism en-masse. Many old Churches have been converted into mandirs. The books – “The Da Vinci Code,” authored by American author Dan Brown and “Holy Blood and Holy Grail” by Michael Baigent, Richard Leigh and Hanry Lincoln (American and British authors) have seriously challenged the very foundation of Christianity and Church. Both the books have stated that Christ did not die on the Cross. He did not walk on water. He ran away with wife – Mary Magdalene and daughter Sarah. The very foundation of Church is shaken. The people in USA, U.K., France and other Christian countries are asking – Did Jesus really exist? The Church has no answer to them.
A clarion call to Naga Youths
The church organization in Nagaland is very strong and well supported by USA, U.K. and other Christian countries. Today, Naga reverends have occupied the place and position of American and British reverends. In the early fifties at the time of advent of Christianity in Nagaland, foreign missionaries destroyed Naga religion and culture. Admixture of Christianity, insurgency and politics accelerated the process of conversion and deculturation in Naga society. Today, this job is being done by Naga reverends because they have got employment and unlimited money to enjoy the life. But at what cost and at whose cost? It is at the cost of Naga religion and Naga culture, it is at the cost of whole Naga society. Should this sorry state of affairs pertaining to cultural identity of Naga society continue? If today’s Naga youths do not come forward to preserve Naga religion and indigenous culture, it will be lost forever and lawlessness and hedonic consumerism will prevail and what turn frustrated Naga society will take in future, is difficult to predict today. This situation has already occurred in Mizoram where Mizo youths – college-going boys and girls, have committed mass-suicide more than once because of utter frustration. Let us act timely to save Naga society from this frustration which is looming large at our very doorstep. There is no point in finding fault with others. The energetic youths have to act today to preserve and promote the Naga civilization which is unique in the world.
M. Chuba Ao
Khermahal, Dimapur
