Witoubou Newmai
Even though a discussion such as on 'collective spirit' of the Naga people or 'Naga unity' brings down the whole affair to ‘collective monotony,’ we cannot help but to go on with this simple and tediously repetitive comment when it comes to discussion on the Naga situation. To understand why this is important, one must also understand the importance of the need for the 'collective spirit' of the Naga people. However, it is disappointing to note that for many people such topics are fast becoming irrelevant today. Even to think of investing efforts to understand it is being ridiculed. This is so because our sense of responsibility has been killed so as to limit our opportunities. This, in fact, is a sure recipe for ruin in this 'death-defying journey'.
If there is any story of progressive measures of the Naga people, there is also ever ready elements intent on upending them. If this is our story today, when can we talk of a 'collective spirit' like the present North Dakota oil protests of the Native Americans? It is quite an inspiration to learn about the ongoing "resurrected fighting spirit of their forefathers" as the Native Americans "stood in unprecedented unity to contest an oil company’s desecration of their sacred land in North Dakota," in the words of internationally acclaimed columnist and author Ramzy Baroud. "To see them standing once more, along with their families, riding their feather-draped horses and fighting for their very identity is a cause for celebration. It brings hope to oppressed people all across the world that the human spirit will never be destroyed," Baroud added. "Methods of extermination differed, from outright murder to disease-infected blankets, to, as of today’s standoff, threatening their most viable resource: water, and yet, somehow, the spirit of Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse and numerous brave chiefs and warriors still roam the plains, urging their people to stand up and carry on with an overdue fight for justice and rights," he wrote. In fact, the "collective spirit of Native American nations was being vigorously revived."
Coming back to our situation, we are distressed as the everyday business of vested interest, hypocrisy and tribalism is fast draining out our energies and resources. This limited capacity of our society to perceive harmony amid discord over plethora of irrelevant and petty issues has questioned the authenticity of our movement for dignity. When it comes to this area of discussion, Abraham Lotha's comments are noteworthy.
In his recently released book ‘The Hornbill Spirit’ Abraham Lotha notes, "Though different Naga tribes are related to each other ethnically, albeit some closer than others, a narrow tribalism can blind people from looking more closely at their commonalities in the midst of their unique, and possibly more striking, differences, impeding a focus on achieving an awareness of cohesive identity and shared belonging as a nation that is life-giving and fortifying for all."
Abraham further cautions that the "the formation of identity categories...can work counter to recognising the unifying forces, if these groups are not cautious," adding, "Nagas need to be wary and not get so lost in bickering, that they become possible prey for a larger beast". "The challenge for all Naga people is to see beyond the tribe and reinforce their deeper connectedness as a nation," Abraham Lotha concludes.
Today, a genuine effort to clear the impediments littered along the path needs to be appreciated if we are to complete our journey.
