I was in Korea for a few years and looking at the present scenario in Nagaland influence by the so called Korean cult-ture, I am saddened and compelled to write this article. Just a while back I came across an article written by a Naga lady on a website about ‘Koreanization’, which in fact is very true and is happening in Nagaland. The question now is, Who is to be blamed?
Our present government (DAN) has been advocating State Road shows to indoctrinate Naga Culture which is highly appreciated as well as criticized in many aspects by various sects. But they (DAN) are also confused as to whether they would want to propagate Naga culture/traditions or some other culture. The reason is simple; we have seen the DAN government taking all initiative like - signing MoU’s with Korean firms, encouraging media houses like Arirang to open fan clubs, various church organizations roping in missionaries, printing Korean text books to let school children learn Korean language etc, yes infact all these are good. But, the government being the sole authority needs to study what exactly is their motive. Question yourself- Why would they want to infiltrate Nagaland, the purpose- are they going to gain anything from us or is it another ‘sphere of influence’? The truth is, We Naga’s knowing the fact that we are always hospitable, people tend to take advantage of our good nature. People say we (Nagas) are very gullible, when it comes to foreigners we go ‘gaga’, which is very true.
Coming to the point, for instance printing text books and letting children learn Korean language is nothing but a joke, why? Because if we look at any family (home) in Nagaland, 95% of it does not even know our own mother tongue. Now, the question is, if the government is so enthusiastic about advocating Naga culture/traditions etc, why not let our children learn our own mother tongue/culture/traditions first then think about others. Look at Mizoram, the best example- Mizo’s are sensitive about their own culture/traditions and every Mizo knows ones own mother tongue. Isn’t that important in a society. 30 years down the line, it is disheartening but true that Naga’s are choosing the path to loose one’s own culture/tradition and language.
Ask any Korean individual who come to Nagaland whether they are ready to adopt Naga culrute/tradition leaving aside their own, the answer will be a big NO, why because they are headstrong people totally influenced by their own culture, not like us who get carried away by anything. Instead we should be the one to influence them with our culture rather that we being manipulated.
Koreanization not only in Nagaland but in the Northeast has become a serious issue, influenced by their movies etc. I did a small research with regard to gang fights- asked a student who was involved in a gang fight, he said “many of us guys are influenced by Asian movies especially Korean flicks, it has become fashion, even girls have gang fights”.
The hard truth is- the Churches and the Government is to be blamed for all theses misdeeds happening in our State (so called Christian state). Churches why? They are unable to ………………………………….
Government why? Is being swayed by the foreign MoU’s, business deals (for selfish gain, since it’s going to bring in more money/funding), a double edged sword- one side they talk as though they are advocating Naga culture and in the other side they are luring foreign especially Koreans to invest here without knowing their motives.
There are so many things to debate/discuss about foreign CULT-TURE, but this is the time for all of us as Naga’s to ponder and realize that we are no more FOOLS, the churches and the government has to WAKE UP. Don’t let the time come to regret because by then it will be too late.
The most important thing that I want to share too our fellow Naga’s is that, since I have lived a few years in Korea, I simply want to tell you that, of course Koreans, Japanese etc do have a very strong and good culture as well as the worst but we should not let others influence us leaving aside our own.
Jonathan Assumi, Duncan Bosti
