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Dimapur, Nov. 17 (EMN): A book titled “The Anempong Leaves,” a story on Dr. EW Clark and Jongshinokdang authored by a retired civil servant and nonagenarian N Talitemjen Jamir (92) was released and dedicated by N Lipok Jamir, pastor of Diphupar Ao Baptist Church, in Dimapur on November 15.
The book explained about the dark period of pre-Christian era in Ao country and how a messenger of God in the person of Rev. Dr. Clark worked hard to rescue the perishing souls in later part of 19th century in Ao region.
“One day Dr. Clark chanced to meet a godsend man from Ongpang (upper range) village of Ungma. His name was Jongshinokdang. He came to Chuchuyimlang village to receive his son Noklenjizüng at the latter’s return from head hunting expedition. That time Dr. Clark happened to come to the village on his routine visit. Thus the two strangers met and developed their friendship and agreed for Dr. Clark to visit Ungma. As agreed upon, Dr. Clark reached Ungma, he saw Jongshinokdang, a prominent leader in Ungma village, observing Anempong on account of his pig farrowing a litter. Anempong in Ao is a period of self sacred isolation period when guests are not entertained for certain days. However, Jongshinokdang cut and removed the Anempong leaves that had been tied to the door post and took in Dr. Clark and his team,” the author narrated in the book.
Dr. Clark convinced Jongshinokdang not to resist the British soldiers so as to avoid tragic consequences as the military might was much stronger than natives in the village. Those were some of the eventful narratives mentioned in the book.
The author thanked Prof. Akok Walling for his support in bringing out the book in English version. The book was first published in Ao language in 2014.