Seen here are the basic verbal components of the ‘Naga script.’
Naga Script Learning and Training Centre inaugurated
Morung Express News
Dimapur| May 20
If ‘God’ revealed a vision to a man fifty one years ago that Nagas must have a ‘common script’ to become a free people, then the day beckons as the first ‘Naga script’ learning and training centre was inaugurated on Wednesday at Nihoto village in Dimapur. A script that has apparently been recognized by several tribal literature boards in the state is said to be a divine revelation given to one Laokainang Phaomei of Longrang village in the Zeliangrong area in January 1958 inside a prison cell in Imphal. KN Walim, a ‘Naga script’ master reveals that its purpose is to unite all Naga communities and to develop a nation for the glory of God. Accordingly, the mission to have a ‘Naga script’ continued throughout five decades by several spiritually anointed people among the Nagas. Finally the task came to rest on the shoulders of KN Walim who now has three pupils studying the script with him.
The script consists basically of symbols with 26 alphabets, 8 vowels and numbers. The script also has punctuation marks very similar to that of English. The pronunciation of the alphabets are also said to be derived from the sound of chickens, another revelation from ‘god’ to Phaomei. The significance of the script as per the divine revelation, however, falls short of having any vocabulary. The script does not provide verbal communication. But Walim says that in time, a “common Naga language” will be designed which will incorporate words from all Naga dialects. This, however, remains to be seen considering the complicacy of the myriad Naga dialects. For now, he says, the first step is to unite Nagas through the script.
Walim, who learnt the script on his own, says that a person needs to be ‘spiritually passionate’ about the Naga political problem to learn the script. This, he says, will translate into what the ‘holy spirit’ revealed to the Nagas fifty one years ago. The script can be translated into any Naga language as well as English and ‘Nagamese’. Walim also believes that the script will be the uniting factor among Nagas although many today may not value its significance. A computer programmed with the script is being developed in Allahabad by experts. The computer is expected to cost around Rs. 7 lakh.
Meanwhile, the Naga script learning centre was formally inaugurated by P Nihoto Chishi, convener of ‘national political advisory council’ of the ‘GPRN’. The training centre is open to all interested persons.
