A Chang Olivo
Nagaland News has been dominated by news of the Integration of all the Nagas. Recently, Nagas had a historic Integration Rally in Kohima.
If we look at our Naga culture and life, we differ very much from one tribe to another, one village to another, one language to another and one region to another. In midst of all these differences, we look for a common ground to be one People and one Nation.
My recent trip to Dimapur, Nagaland, made me wonder who are those living behind the huge gates. Do these people know their neighbors? In Los Angeles, we see those huge fences and gates mostly in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Malibu and San Marino. Those are the people mostly in entertainment business. Most of them are harassed by curious visitors or the paparazzi. They have no privacy for their life and family. They hide behind those fences and gates for security and privacy.
I asked a few residents in Dimapur why most homes are gated. Everyone had the fear of someone breaking into their homes and endangering their lives, or of neighbors stealing the border land. They were all living in fear behind those huge fences and gates. They don’t know who their neighbors are.
As darkness falls, the town looks like a forbidden city. All businesses are closed. It is hurting the economy of Nagaland. How are we going to move forward like other states in India or the rest of the world? How can outsiders have the confidence and security to invest in Nagaland. How are we going to create jobs for the young people and the next generation when business can’t function?
Young people have nothing to keep them occupied after the sun sets. They have no jobs, no entertainment, no evening colleges or training centers. To numb their boredom, they drink, smoke and do drugs. To support such lifestyle, they commit crimes. It is hard to find eligible young Nagas especially men, who don’t drink, smoke or do drugs.
Our society and culture, which were known for their generosity, even to strangers, are vanishing right before our eyes. We don’t know our own neighbors. Family structure is breaking down. Nagas are not a society that has classes or caste but now we can see the classes of the rich and poor.
Freedom, peace and unity start from your own kitchen. Talk to your children. Teach your children what is right and wrong. Be responsible parents. It is a great privilege to be parents but you have the responsibilities to guide your children into the honor of hard labor, respect, honesty and peace. Have a family dinner together. Spend quality time with your children. From your own kitchen, cross over and get to know your neighbor across from you, beside you, and behind you. Have a neighborhood get together once or twice a year. Share a meal; share a conversation with your neighbors. Your neighbor may even be from different tribe, region, village or clan.
When American Baptist Missionaries left Nagaland, Naga tribes who already had received the gospel, reached out to most of the eastern tribes. Those early Naga missionaries reached out to the eastern tribes financially to start a church and sent their own people to serve among them. Where has that brotherhood gone today? The advanced tribes should reach out to the advancing tribes. Tribalism in churches and society will hurt our growth and unity. Reach out to your brothers, sisters or churches that are from advancing tribes. Support them with what you can--materially, mentally, spiritually or emotionally.
We are talking about integration, but with so much fear within our own community, how are we going trust each other and proceed towards the goal of one people and one nation? Who is going to believe and support our cause? It takes one person, one tribe, one village at a time, to bring peace and unity.
We have a small community of Nagas and North East Indians in California. We don’t distinguish ourselves as Chang, Angami, Khasis or Assamese. We gather together as brothers and sisters from Nagaland or N.E. India. Sometimes, we talk, wishing that in Nagaland they have the same kind of brotherhood and sisterhood as we have here. More unity and less tribalism. We don’t care which tribe is visiting California, we care as fellow Nagas and open our homes to them.
This does not mean that we do not love our own people. I am proud to be a Chang--and I would say I love Tuensang more than other towns, but this pride does not mean that I look down on other tribes or regions.
We need to trust each other, learn to love, accept and forgive each others faults and mistakes. Integration of all Nagas will not come through violence or bloodshed. Take the example of great leaders like Gandhi and Nelson Mandela for a better and peaceful Nagaland. The greatest revenge you could give to your enemy is through love and forgiveness.
We shouldn’t only look to the leaders for unity, peace and development. Common people should also rise up to the occasion. You may be a housewife. You can communicate about love and peace to your children and husband. You may be a teacher. Educate your students about the benefit of living in unity and loving peace. It is not only for our generation but for the generations to come. You may be in administration. Govern with wisdom for the betterment and peacefulness of all Nagas, not only your tribe or constituency.
So, here I humbly urge my fellow country men and women to strive for Peace and unity, accepting each other through love and forgiveness. We don’t need to hide in fear behind those gates in our own land, with our own people. We don’t need to shut everything down by sunset and lock ourselves up in fear. If we live in fear from each other in our own land, how are we going to demonstrate to the world, our desire to live in unity and peace? Rise up to the occasion and make a difference in someone’s life, church, village, town or tribe. My country people, “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS YOU ARE BORN”.
The writer resides in California, USA
