The relationship between Tenyimia legacy and the Naga National Council (NNC) under A Zapu Phizo is deeply structural, linking ancient cultural identity with modern Naga nationalism.
The NPF came to power first in 2003 promising to end Naga insurgency and bring Solution for a lasting peace. The BJP was its ally. They are still there together. But the unity of purpose end there. 'Double Engine' can fail.
In Nagaland; it failed deliberately.
During 2023 assembly election, when I visited the state - I met a serving cop in Dimapur. When asked about his political decision etc; he remarked: "Moikhan toh regional NPF .... original Phizo party toh".
He meant - "I will vote for regional party NPF .... technically as an Angami, he owes allegiance to legendary A Z Phizo - the founding father of Naga movement".
History is preserved not only in written records but also through oral traditions, folklores and folk songs passed down within families. Nagas are the best examples about the same in the contemporary setting.
The Tenyimia (or Tenyimi) comprises a distinct group of ten closely related tribes— the Angami, Chakhesang, Zeliangrong, Pochury, Rengma, Mao, Maram, Poumai, Inpui, and Thangal—who share a common ancestral lineage tracing back to the sacred site of Makhel.
Tenyimia Union Mokokchung (TUM) marked 58th Commemoration Day in Feb 2026 atthe district HQ
My police friend whom I interacted in 2023 -- had also said : "Our Chief Minister is an Angami. We expected a lot in 2003 when he first became chief minister.
But Angamis and Tenyimias want to have the best of both worlds. We want Nagas to call Phizo the 'father of the Naga Nation' but when it comes political solution ... we will not work for it. Our fear is Neiphiu Rio will be replaced by leaders from other tribe".
His statements seem to have found Resonance in 2026.
There is a physical phenomenon where a system vibrates with a much larger amplitude when exposed to an 'external force/wave' that matches the natural frequency.
Even during 1990s, likes of Abao Kire (former Kohima Town chairman and then MLA) would say -- Tenyimi family will go together and stay together till the water flows in the river. But the refrain used to be that the "NNC spirit" or sentiment must be upheld.
Tenyimis called the Lotha as Cuzhie-u -- meaning while the parent provided food among the brothers, he could 'save' some of his food while other brothers finished their share.
There is Cuzhiema khel in Nerhema village.
And the Semas were Sieus.
Semas are also called Semias.
But what happens now ?
NNC president Adinno Phizo's death was a significant episode. And then came appointment of Keviletuo Kiewhuo as a go-between for talks between NSCN-IM and the centre. Are we getting into a completely new era ... and a rather unknown area ?
Will the much cherished 'NNC and Phizo legacy spirit' get diluted even in a veiled and a very slow and latent process ? Among Tenyimia social workers Neingulo Krome, convener, Naga People's Movement for Human Rights, has been a sincere guy all along.
How would likes of him perceive things in the light of the new developments? Analysts may keep an eye on the 'new leadership or president' NNC would have sooner than later.
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| National funeral program of Adino Phizo by the NNC at Kohima village |
In a recent article, former DGP (Nagaland) Besesayo Kezo says:
"Restoring authority is not a partisan matter. It concerns every citizen who wishes to live by his labor rather than by the labor of others, and every parent who wishes his children to grow up in a society where effort is rewarded and coercion is restrained".
These are meaningful words in the context of today's Nagaland.
"In the end, the choice is between a democracy that governs and an anarchy that merely collects," he says and the importance of this statement is again quite relevant for today's Naga society and its future.
Hear his counseling - ::: " Democracy’s institutions were established to secure these ends. When they cease to do so, it is the duty of the citizen to insist that they resume their proper function, or, if they cannot, to consider, for a time, alternative arrangements that may be necessary to preserve the possibility of a return to normal constitutional life."
The killer problem is linked to money factor and the baser human instinct - the greed.
Hence, a crying need -- it is time for structural changes.
There are too many people who can no longer help themselves.
Have some people started working beyond 'final Solution pact' ? Nevertheless, the main question should be - what is the purpose of such machinations ? Who gains ? Is it the individual and the caucas ?
What is then the larger interests ?
-- Answers lie in combining factors -- Peace, Development, sound education policy, adequate platforms to tap potentials. Political autonomy for communities and Democratic political values.
A Solution to Naga political issue has (with some variations) -- answers all these elements. But these are changing times. Hence, those who hijacked the talk process and the period of ceasefire --- may now try to hijack the post-Solution scenario too.
Future roadmap is not decided by moneypower. Manipulation has its limitation.
It is the 'Ideas' that shape the world. That's the power of Philosophy. Money can get Bolero. But cannot buy Ideas.
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| Blogger : Life is all about playing cards well |
If the BJP-NPF alliance wants to be re-elected in 2028, they will need to give people a real good reason to go out and vote for it. I write this as a Modi-bhakt -- someone who wants Namo to show results.
The centre can certainly do better than today’s 'minor fine-tuning' adjustments rather than major overhauls.
ends
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