K. K. Sema, IAS retd speaking at the seminar on Friday. (Morung Photo)
DIMAPUR | SEPTEMBER 23 : Pointing out that the Nagas really do not know from where they emerged owing to the numerous migratory points, K. K. Sema IAS retd commissioner and secretary, art & culture stressed that the Naga people needed to go back into finding out how the Naga life began. “It is still not very clear from where we (Nagas) began,” Sema said speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural programme of the 2-day state level research seminar on Naga traditional and cultural customary, Friday at Indigenous Cultural Society Office Dimapur. He also underlined the need to find out detailed actual living conditions in which the ancestors might have grown.
During the seminar, speakers representing several Naga tribes would be presenting papers on their respective tribe’s customs and ways of life. Sema was appreciative of the sincere efforts put in by NGOs in reviving and preserving the Naga traditional customs, which according to him, the younger generation was losing touch of. The retired bureaucrat opined that the Naga people at present were confused whether to really follow their traditions or adapt with modern way of life. Though the Nagas call themselves as a people yet each tribe is distinctly different from one another and it is only in coming together like this and sharing varied customs and values, people can find out what Nagas really followed, he added.
K. K. Sema made a comparison of the festivals celebrated by the forefathers and by the present generation. According to the speaker, the present generation lacked the real festive spirit and motive with which the forefathers celebrated festivals which were a time for renewal, cleansing, forgiving etc. He said the forefathers had a very serious perspective to what festivals meant. He observed that the festivals were celebrated these days without even acknowledging the fact of what it is all about.
Further, he lamented the gradual demise of honesty inherent in the forefathers adding “Nagas have now become a little averse to honesty.” He built up a contrast between how the Naga administrators in the 1950s and 60s were asked to explain why they could not utilize the funds allocated for various public purposes and the contemporary scenario where liability could be created for even crores of rupees.
Speaking on the issue of reservation for women, the retired IAS felt that the quota could only reduce womenfolk to that little space of 33%. According to K. K. Sema, Naga women possess the capability and now need a mental upgrade that they were as capable as others. In this keynote address, Indigenous Cultural Society (ICS)director, Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi said that the concern of the ICS in organising the seminar was not on the different Naga customs and traditions but a survey on the general polity of the Naga village and to trace how it contributed to the well-being of the society. The seminar is being jointly organized by Indigenous Cultural Society and NEZCC Dimapur.
During the seminar, speakers representing several Naga tribes would be presenting papers on their respective tribe’s customs and ways of life. Sema was appreciative of the sincere efforts put in by NGOs in reviving and preserving the Naga traditional customs, which according to him, the younger generation was losing touch of. The retired bureaucrat opined that the Naga people at present were confused whether to really follow their traditions or adapt with modern way of life. Though the Nagas call themselves as a people yet each tribe is distinctly different from one another and it is only in coming together like this and sharing varied customs and values, people can find out what Nagas really followed, he added.
K. K. Sema made a comparison of the festivals celebrated by the forefathers and by the present generation. According to the speaker, the present generation lacked the real festive spirit and motive with which the forefathers celebrated festivals which were a time for renewal, cleansing, forgiving etc. He said the forefathers had a very serious perspective to what festivals meant. He observed that the festivals were celebrated these days without even acknowledging the fact of what it is all about.
Further, he lamented the gradual demise of honesty inherent in the forefathers adding “Nagas have now become a little averse to honesty.” He built up a contrast between how the Naga administrators in the 1950s and 60s were asked to explain why they could not utilize the funds allocated for various public purposes and the contemporary scenario where liability could be created for even crores of rupees.
Speaking on the issue of reservation for women, the retired IAS felt that the quota could only reduce womenfolk to that little space of 33%. According to K. K. Sema, Naga women possess the capability and now need a mental upgrade that they were as capable as others. In this keynote address, Indigenous Cultural Society (ICS)director, Dr. Hesheto Y. Chishi said that the concern of the ICS in organising the seminar was not on the different Naga customs and traditions but a survey on the general polity of the Naga village and to trace how it contributed to the well-being of the society. The seminar is being jointly organized by Indigenous Cultural Society and NEZCC Dimapur.
