Naga Elder, Medoselhou Keretsü at the 3rd Edition of “Unscripted” organised by Writers Collective that held at The BookHome, Kohima on July 4.
Morung Express News
Kohima | July 4
Having grown up during a time when the entire sundry in the village followed a strict agricultural calendar, Naga Elder, Medoselhou Keretsü on Saturday afternoon, related his life experiences and the wisdom passed on to him by the elders of his society.
He was the Storyteller for the 3rd Edition of “Unscripted” organised by Writers Collective that was held at The BookHome, Kohima on July 4. He recalled that during that period of time, the society was tied together in their religious rites, followed the practices of the tsa na (belief of the forefathers), and their lives were shaped by the things they learn from the communal places.
In this context, he narrated some of those cultural practices that were orally passed down by his parents and community elders while also highlighting about the Angami Nagas that constitute a major Naga tribe, and is an integral part of the Tenyimia community.
“We were famously feared for their head-hunting practices, yet appreciated for our cultural values like bravery, nobility, respect, courtesy, hospitality, honesty, craftsmanship and such other moral values amongst our neighbouring tribes and kingdom like Assam with whom we had trade relations,” he highlighted.
Looking back to the culture, manners and behaviour of the ancestors, he remarked, “We reflect a refined and well-structured society. We possessed great integrity and were characterized by our courtesy, generosity, god-fearing nature and our deep commitment to justice and equality.”
Long before embracing Christianity, he stated, “Our people held a profound belief in a single supreme being. We were neither athiests nor idolators. Rather, the core of our culture and daily lives already mirrored the very essence of the Christian faith.”
He further extensively dwelt on the traditional marriage rites, funeral rites, justice system, belief in the supernatural, and also related a couple of stories in this regard while adding that, the supernatural is a very common phenomenon to the Tenyimia community, which is passed down not only through lores and tales but is an integral part of their everyday life.
On the “Unscripted” initiative, he extended his deep appreciation for acknowledging the importance of safeguarding our oral heritage.
“By providing a platform for the older generation to share the wisdom we inherited, and by listening so willingly and by committing to document these stories, you are ensuring that our rich traditions do not die,” he expressed.
.JPG)
