Nagaland, one of the seven sisters of the North-east India, is extravagantly gifted by Nature. The variegated beauty of the land creates envy in the other parts of the country. Therefore, Nagaland must have the pride of being one of the most naturally beautiful states of India. She should also have the pride of being one of the most beautiful plots of land in the whole world.
The material treasures which the land has in possession are not taken into consideration in this succinct piece. Only the immaterial treasures are put into focus here. To be very frank, the people of other parts of the country who have never been to Nagaland have the wrong notion that Nagaland is not a place worth-visiting. They even express that people here are very short-tempered and are emotionally different from them. Such remarks excite my rage and at the same time make me ashamed as I have been staying here for several years without experiencing anything adverse. I vehemently come at cross with such remarks of those poor people who are still ignorant of Nagaland even in this age of internet. In my angry moment I feel pity for such people for being unexpectedly ignorant.
My candid expression of the remarks of the ignorant people should not make anybody feel bad. My several years’ experience of dealing with the students and my friendly association with the parents, educated elites, general public including literate and illiterate masses has reinforced in me the belief that the Nagas are very nice tribes who have a lot of immaterial treasures in them. Such treasures give the Nagas a distinct and unique identity.
Years back a Chandigarh-based national daily remarked, “Hasi hi pahechan hai Naga bachcho ka.” It means that smiles on the faces are the identity marks of the Naga children. Yes, it is true. It is true not only of the children of Nagaland but also of the people of all ages. A smile, an endearing smile, a disarming smile is truly the identity of a Naga. Such smiles make a free flow of the innocence and hospitality of the Nagas. Such smiles are the testimony of their human and humane feelings and also their open-mindedness. This is a very unique treasure the Nagas have. People should be proud of the Nagas for this treasure.
The Nagas are so open-minded that they never feel reserved before the unknown faces. From my experience I say that anybody I happen to meet on the road, in the market, in the bus stand, in my school campus or elsewhere ask me: “Bhal achche?”, “Khaichhe na kha nai?”, “ Kote jai ache ho?”, etc. It does not matter whether the person knows me or not. I feel very happy with them for such inquiries. It is the sense of hospitality and open-heartedness which make them do so. This is also a very great treasure I experience and have experienced in Nagaland.
The Naga hearts are filled with the profuse kindness and fellow-feelings. A man can not eat if another goes hungry in front of him. This is a very praiseworthy characteristic of the Naga people. That is why there is no beggar and rag-picker in Nagaland. Helpfulness and fellow-feeling are the important treasures which enrich the Naga culture.
The ways the Nagas organise various social institutions like marriages, funeral rituals, festivals, etc. bear witness to the high level of social responsibilities each and every Naga has. If there is any occasion in any house, all the relatives, neighbours, near and dear ones come and join and extend a helping hand morally, physically, economically and make the occasion a great success without putting any pressure on the hosting family. This sort of fellow-feeling is a rare treasure seen in Nagaland.
The Nagas are pious and sincere God-believers. They are spiritually rich. Cheating, lying, stealing etc. are considered to be great sins before God. They have great conviction in the power of honesty. They are idealistic, not materialistic. Evil principles and prejudices have no room in the Naga hearts. All these great principles are the immortal treasures of Nagaland.
Many a time I happened to travel in the same taxi, bus or train with Naga fellow passengers. Every time they happened to ask my introduction and become friends with me. I also used to enjoy their company and friendship. The most unforgettable part of the instant friendship is that they used to pay my bill for what I ate in the hotel or restaurant. I can not forget such instances of Naga hospitality and generosity. Such hospitality and generosity is a priceless treasure of Nagaland. All the treasures mentioned above are the immortal immaterial heritages of Nagaland. They make the Nagas very great before the people who can make right observation and assessment of the Naga tribes. Let the treasures not be dropped down in the process of going forward with modern technical and materialistic civilisation.
Gopal Talukdar, PGT (English)
JNV, Kohima
