The Ancestral Voices: Yimkhiung Naga Tales and Stories by Ryunshito Lims, is a rich collection of folk tales from the oral culture of the Yimkhiung Naga community.
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Avila Mongzar
The Ancestral Voices: Yimkhiung Naga Tales and Stories by Ryunshito Lims, published by PenThrill publishing house, is a rich collection of folk tales from the oral culture of the Yimkhiung Naga community. Reading the book felt less like reading a set of stories and more like listening to voices that have travelled across generations, carrying memory, belief, and lived experience. At a time when many indigenous tales risk being forgotten, this collection is a valuable effort to preserve Yimkhiung heritage.
What stands out immediately is the insider perspective. The author shares that many tales were first heard during childhood, told by grandparents and elders while sitting by the fire. Knowing this changed the way I read the book, the stories felt intimate and sincere, as if they were being shared rather than formally presented. This personal connection gives the collection a strong sense of warmth and authenticity.
The stories themselves are wide-ranging and engaging. There are myths about tiger spirits, supernatural transformations, and mysterious events, alongside tales of love, betrayal, courage, and sacrifice. Some stories explain cultural practices like tattooing, marriage customs, and the concept of bride price, while others use animals to convey moral lessons. One memorable example is “The Legend of the Man and the Rat,” a story that shows how traditional tales often use simple characters and situations to convey deeper lessons about human behaviour. Together, the stories reflect a world where human life, nature, and the spiritual realm exist in close relationship.
One passage that stood out discusses mysterious beings found in many Naga traditions. Different tribes use different names, and as someone from the Sangtam tribe, I was struck by the mention of Nitsarila, familiar within our own traditional stories. Reading this part, I couldn’t help but remember the stories my own elders told me, and it made the book feel even closer to home. This reminded me that the stories in this book are not distant myths but living memories that many communities still recognise in their own ways.
After reading the stories, it becomes clearer that they serve as lessons for the community. They teach responsibility, right and wrong, and the consequences of actions, unfolding naturally through the narratives. In many ways, they feel like wisdom passed down through generations, showing that storytelling was once a powerful way of teaching values, shaping character and guiding the community.
The writing style is simple and direct, preserving the feeling of oral storytelling. Some stories are brief and end soon after the lesson, which may feel sudden to modern readers but remains true to the traditional folk-tale form.
One of the book’s strongest aspects is its role in preserving cultural heritage. Writing these stories down helps keep Yimkhiung traditions alive as oral transmission gradually fades. This collection will particularly interest readers curious about Naga folklore, oral traditions, and indigenous heritage.
Overall, The Ancestral Voices is more than a collection of folk tales. It is a record of memory, identity, and inheritance. As I finished the book, I felt deep appreciation for the elders and storytellers who kept these stories alive. Reading it reminded me that storytelling is not just about remembering the past, but also about carrying culture forward so that ancestral voices continue to guide and inspire future generations.