Kaka D. Iralu
Humanity and Nationality are two different things. The dividing factor between the two is determined mostly by racial factors. On the level of Humanity, irrespective of all differences arising from different races, cultures and religions, all nationalities of all nations ultimately belongs to one common Humanity. To put it in other words, despite the fact that while some of us are Mongolians and others Caucasians and Negroid, we are all descendants of Noah and Adam and therefore share a common humanity. (Here there may be some scientific minded other races, who believe in the evolution theory and assert that they are descended from monkeys. I do not know what they call their own race as, but “Monkians” can be an appropriate name for this modern species of mankind!)
Coming to the question of one’s nationality or national identity, the individual has no say as to what nation he wants to belong to. To put it in other words, when I was in my mother’s womb, God never asked me as to whether I want to be a Naga or an Indian or an Englishman. I was simply born a Naga because I was conceived in a Naga mother’s womb which was impregnated by a Naga father’s seed. Therefore, on the question of nationality, the issue is more of a “being” (existence) created by God and not a nationality I choose by choice. One’s nationality is decided by God and not by the individual or his father or his grandfather. Therefore, Nationality is a “Being” rather than a choice.
However, notwithstanding all these theological and anthropological facts of life, in our complex modern world of today, both at the individual as well as at the national levels, there are two options that are both recognized by international law. In these two options, both an individual as well as a nation can choose to become bigger than what they theologically and anthropologically are. In this choice, a Manipuri or a Naga can choose to have two indigenous identities or a Naga or Garo can even choose to have two national identities under what is called “dual Citizenship”. Under the same international laws, there are even many Indians who are both Indian citizens as well as British citizens etc. But this choice is strictly an individual’s free choice and cannot be forced or coerced by anybody or nations.
By the way, even though we Nagas were aware of these international legal provisions, we never the less chose to retain our own national identity of Naga nationhood. This affirmation was voluntarily done through the national plebiscite of May 16, 1951 and many other pre- as well as post- national events. We undertook all these national decisions while fully recognizing and acknowledging the emergence of both the Indian and Burmese Republics in the late 1940s. But unfortunately both these two countries chose to invade our country and are coercing us to become their citizens by force.
As for the present debate going on over Uncle Thepfülhouvi’s blood identity, it is altogether a different matter. This is because, irrespective of race or national identity, human blood (In its various groups) is the same in every race or nationality. Hence to deride or glorify any individual on the basis of his or her blood heritage can only be a figurative speech and not an anthropological or scientific fact. After all, a blood test of Thepfülhovi’s blood group can never proof his national identity as a Garo, Meghalaya Indian citizen! Also, as fellow Nagas, let us not be too harsh or judgmental about his original ancestry as the decision to be a Naga today was most probably made by his father and mother and not himself. Let us also respect our own Angami culture where anyone seeking our adoption (or son ship) cannot be denied the request. In Angami culture, it is “Kenyü” (absolutely taboo) to deny the plea of an adoption seeker. Also when one is so adopted, under Angami Customary laws, the adopted is fully entitled to a private plot of land and the entire Clansmen’s shared lands along with all the privileges and obligations to the particular clan into which he/she has been adopted. The whole adopted family also takes on the surname or title of the clan into which they have been adopted. As such, in the case of Uncle Thepfülhouvi, he was born in a Solo woman’s womb in Naga soil with all privileges and obligations of a Naga warrior!
In conclusion, let us not shoo away the few barking dogs that we Nagas still fortunately have in our midst. If we do that, thieves will come into our lands and steal away all our prized property while we snore away in absolute indifference to right and wrong, truth and falsehood! The concluding words (as well as all other words) have been shared with malice to none and all good wishes to all fellow Nagas, Indians; Myanmar’s and even the whole world.
