Festival season ... and it gives a greater sense of continuity .... :::: Nagas may be divided and concerned; But Economy matters !

Nagas may be divided and concerned; But Economy matters

Festival season ... and it gives a greater sense of continuity

New Delhi 

Mujh pe ilzaam itne lagaaye gaye .... Begunahi ke andaaz jaate rahe

(So much have I been accused of ....that the element 'proving my innocence' has deserted me).

Urdu is hardly understood by our readers in Nagaland. Even Hindi is disliked by many but the powerful meaning of the Urdu saying has a significant relevance here. 

One Naga friend told me -- "Nagas are divided ... one section likes you and would like to appreciate you for taking so much interest for peace and Solution... But the other section just hates you".

'Nagaland Page'

My response was -- "The second group is huge. They are powerful, intellectuals, influential and would like to look for ways and means to stop my writing".

"His wings should be clipped" -- is a refrain --- I am often told -- and so I shared it as well with my friend.

On social front, my Naga friend says -- There are many differences between Nagas and rest of Indians especially Hindus. Of course, I agreed.

Then my friend added: - "But you are smart and mischievous.. You do not expose your dislike for Naga food. Rather cleverly you talk about pork rice and sometime keep overdoing it".

I had to smile. But as a wag - I am also an argumentative Bong and a desi.

I retorted - Nagas also mock at Hindu customs and rituals especially on occasions when we do not shave for two weeks after there is a bereavement and we use all-white simple looking clothes, not even ironed and then on the main ceremony day we shave our heads". 

This time he was smiling and added, "We, both sides, should get away with all that".

Why don't you join us for Hornbill Festival?

The Naga Hospitality is a well known thing. So I was hardly surprised.

Every region and society adapts cultural norms according to own preferences and temperament. 

The middle class Naga mothers and women at kitchens
would open their hearts and it is likely the rich ones could go berserk.

But a grand community fest like the Hornbill Festival offers a link between past and present. 

It can provide people with a positive view. We come to know each other
better and there is also a greater sense of continuity. 

But Continuity cannot revolve around being stubborn. Pragmatism is a reality.

Culture is thus an evolving phenomenon. 

Hornbill 2018

But is also true that we are living through turbulent times.

Things are in mess in Manipur.  The troubled times and a fragile peace has one refrain - “We too want peace, but they should stop attacking us first".

Sadly, the old Naga-Kuki conflicts might be coming back. 

This time protagonists could be Rongmeis and Lingmai Nagas.
According to the Rongmei Naga Students’ Organization (RNSOM), two trucks carrying essential goods were ambushed early Wednesday, Nov 13, along National Highway 37.

The RNSOM and other civil society bodies are irked 
because Nagas in Manipur have also started facing intra community problems.

There is a visible conflict of interest now between (NSCN-IM) and the Zeliangrong United Front (ZUF)  at Sangji village in Tamenglong District.

In the mid-nineties, the clashes were mostly between Tangkhul Nagas and Kukis.

There were problems between Meiteis and Nagas too in 2000 when ceasefire was likely to be extended to Manipur. 

Several of my Naga friends are looking forward towards Hornbill but they are concerned about future too.

One social activist says, "Do not forget Nagaland state as a geographical landscape is the real mother of Naga politics. It all started here under A Z Phizo".

Another politician friend is little more frank: "As we speak, PM Narendra Modi should side by side work for rehabilitation of Naga national workers comprehensively so that the words spread effectively that they can lay down arms and return to normal life and there will
be opportunities and coffers open. It's economy stupid".

ends