(Left) Atoshe and Tohini's Deaf friends at their wedding (Right) Deaf community of Nagaland after their church service
Christina Walling-Zhimomi
Audiologist & Speech Language Pathologist
The seed for the beginning of the Deaf culture in Nagaland was sown in 1987 with the establishment of Deaf Biblical Ministry in Dimapur. It all began with the education of 9 Deaf childrenat a time when they were deemed unteachable and uneducable by the society. These children were the first Deaf in Nagaland to receive education and with education came understanding, acceptance and a realization of self-identity.Over the last 3 decades, members of the Deaf community in Nagaland have grown and presently they have over 200 members spread over all the districts of Nagaland.
Acceptance and pride in their identity: During the initial years, when they were still living in a hearing society, they often expressed their desire to be able to hear and speak like everyone else. Aomeren, one among the first Deaf to be educated recalls, “I used to question God why He created me Deaf. I wanted to be hearing. Did I do something wrong? Am I being punished?” He went on to create history in Nagaland, becoming the first Deaf matriculate in Nagaland. Today he is happily married to his Deaf wife, both with a job in the government sector. He no longer thinks the way he used to as a child, no longer questions why he was created Deaf.
Today, when we interact with them, even those as young as 7 to 8 years old say that they are happy and proud of being Deaf. Many of them say, “I know that I am special and that God has a plan for me”. Wanchule, a teenager says, “Do not feel sorry for me. I am happy to be Deaf. God has a purpose for me.”
About 10 Deaf members from different parts of Nagaland, all in their teens once participated in a survey. They were asked several questions, where one of the questions asked was “Do you think you were born deaf as a punishment from God”. All the 10 teens looked shocked and immediately answered “No!”. As is evident from the above, the Deaf community take pride in their identity and no longer feel inferior to their hearing peers.
When a Deaf person lives in a hearing society, he often feels left out, isolated and inferior. But when they are a part of the Deaf community, they begin to realise that there are many others like them, that they are not alone and this gives them a sense of belonging. This in turn builds self- confidence and pride in their identity.
Sign Language: The Deaf in Nagaland are, like every other member of the Deaf community around the world, fiercely protective of their language, which is sign language. Sign language is central to their identity, one that sets them apart. They want their hearing families, friends, colleagues etc. to learn their language. Just as the hearing community do not like it when a certain language is imposed on them, the Deaf also do not want the hearing to choose or imposeany language on them. Mendang once said, “If you love me, you will learn my language.”
Tight knit community: The Deaf community in Nagaland is a tight knit community, where everyone shares the joys and pains of one another. They also get educated, look for jobs, marry, celebrate successes, learn from failures, and go through the trials of life like all of us.
On the eve of Atoshe and Tohini’s wedding, their Deaf friends thronged to the wedding venue to help in any way they could. Among the visitors and the busy people working, the venue was also filled with the Deaf communicating with rapid hand movements, expressive faces and their unreserved laughter. On the day of the wedding, a full row was reserved just for the members of the Deaf community, and the wedding was conducted in sign language, which was the first among many more weddings to come.
When Maong lost his father in 2020, he found comfort when the funeral service was interpreted to him. Through his hearing friend and interpreter, he was also able to pay his final respects to his father, expressing to the crowd how grateful he was to his father for having secured a steady job for him and for making sure that he was financially independent.
These are the “little” things we take for granted in life. In events such as funerals, it is painful to imagine not being able to expresses ourselves only because we are not given the opportunity of doing so.
Directness in expressing themselves: Another norm of the Deaf culture in general is that they are quite direct in their expression. They do not beat around the bush or drop subtle hints. This may often be misinterpreted as them being rude or disrespectful by the hearing community. This has in fact been the cause of many misunderstandings between the Deaf and hearing community where the Deaf may have expressed their opinion with good intentions, but was misinterpreted as being disrespectful. The Deaf in Nagaland have often faced this in their work place, at home, with their friends etc.This is where we need understanding from both the sides, accepting it as a cultural difference rather than being offended by it.
Desire to be heard: The Deaf community is no longer where they were 10 or 20 years ago. They are now educated, employed, independent, and contributing members of the Naga society. They feel strongly that they, as a community should be consulted during the decision making process of matters relating to them. They have expressed that they have been “mute” spectators for far too long, with decisions being made for them, and them having to accept it with no say in it. They now feel that decisions regarding their language, schemes and policies for the Deaf etc. should be made with them as one of the major stake holders. They express hope that they will one day be included in such important matters as this will directly impact their lives.
The topic of Deaf culture in Nagaland is very vast and this article addresses just the tip of it. The writer hopes to bring to light more aspects of the Deaf community in our state in the articles that will follow.
