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DIMAPUR — A book titled ‘Indigenous Religion and Baptist Christianity: A comparative study of the Aos’ written by Dr. Purchila Jamir, associate professor and dean of students’ welfare, Japfü Christian College (JCC), Kigwema, was released at Jubilee Memorial Centre, Kohima, on May 16.
The book, co-authored by Dr. M Temjen Longkumer, was published by Nagaland Institute of Development Studies (NIDS), an update stated.
Rev. Sentisashi Aier, senior pastor of Kohima Ao Baptist Church, released the book and pronounced the dedicatory prayer, while Prof. Visakhonü Hibo, chairperson of NIDS and principal of Japfü Christian College, spoke on behalf of the publisher.
Speaking at the launch event, the author disclosed that the book was an outcome of a research work done in the Ao areas of Mokokchung district covering 13 villages under six ranges. According to the author, the practice of age-old oral tradition is dying with the aging narrators, which urgently calls for documentation based on validated research.
The book delves into the similarities and dissimilarities between indigenous religion and Baptist Christianity of the Aos.
The author suggested that while practices and rituals of indigenous religion may be abandoned, some cultural values in indigenous religion like deep reverence for god and offering the best to god are some important dimensions to study and reconsider by the Christians today.
The programme was chaired by Dr. Soraisam Bhogen, academic dean and associate professor, JCC.