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To be referred to as head-hunters once upon a time is quite a reputation to own. This segment of history of the Nagas has aroused intrigue, curiosity and even fear in some. But that is the unique history of the Naga tribes. It is an identity marked by valour, strength, and pride, on one hand, and one that points to barbarism, lack of civilisation, and ignorance, on the other. Whatever the case, it is a trademark that will perpetually tag along the history of the Nagas, particularly the Naga Christian history.
Histories are what give people their individuality and point of reference. The head-hunting tales of the Nagas is really a matter of pride if we leave out the bloody and grossness aspects of it. It spells of gallantry and adds some realsing to a story we were not direct participants of. Had it not been for the courageous and determined Christian missionaries, our story might have ended up with a totally different twist. Who knows, our forefathers just might have finished chopping off each other’s heads and that would have been the end of a gory story in history.
Thank God, however, that the missionaries came, saw and conquered our ancestors with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason, we have a name and an identity we can place forward with a sense of dignity. Since then, for better or for worse, Nagas have come to be recognised as a pre-dominantly Christian nation. We have been honoured and also ridiculed for it.
Simply dwelling on one’s history, however, has little worth. What matters more is asking ourselves how far we have come, since then. Even of more paramount importance is the question of where we are headed. Every generation paves the way for the next to walk through. What is pertinent at this juncture is to ask ourselves, as third or fourth generation Christians, what manner of foundation we are laying for those coming after us. Is a conscious biblical foundation even being laid at all, or are we too caught up with our new-found status, educationally and economically speaking?
So, getting back to the topic in question, how far have we Naga Christians come since the head-hunting days of yore? What are some signs and symptoms surfacing from this season of Covid-19? Is our raw and untamed history truly a thing of the past or are we simply deceiving ourselves into believing that we have moved on, or even more foolish, that we have arrived? With so much transpiring within and without every single day, it may be worth placing ourselves under the scanner and submit to some self-examination, however unpleasant and even humiliating that may be.
The Coronavirus pandemic is wreaking havoc globally. Even with all the imposing advancements in science and technology, there is still no assurance that it is going to be all fine tomorrow. Formidable nations which can justifiably brag of having arrived have been brought down to their knees. It is an unprecedented crisis no nation was prepared for; not even the super powers, let alone us Nagas who are just learning to take our first tentative steps, comparatively.
The Covid 19 has generated numerous crises the world over. A crisis, as we should be aware, is a time of intense difficulty or danger, affecting an individual, group, community, or a whole society, and requiring urgent decision making. A situation is termed a crisis only when the existing coping skills of those involved in the event are no longer effective or functional. We also know that a crisis presents two options: to spiral downward and be defeated, or to take it as an opportunity to rise and soar.
Just like many other nations in the world, the current pandemic has brought a huge crisis upon us. If leaders, legislators, policy makers, church elders, and institutional heads appear confused and disoriented to some degree, we should understand that it is because this is not only an ordinary crisis situation, but a monstrous one. In a predicament such as the one confronting all of us, it is always much easier, and even tempting, to resort to fault-finding, poison-spewing, and only care for self-preservation. No one needs a degree to remain at that level of baseness. Yet, an informed and a Christian society ought to exhibit higher ideals and conduct at a time like this.
The Covid-19 ushered in a situation that called for great wisdom, quick action and creative resolve. The security of being in the Green zone for the first two months or so perhaps kept our State in a hopeful reverie. Yet, as soon as the reality of the pandemic hit closer home, the Government, several churches, NGOs, institutions, and groups, rose to the occasion to show their support and solidarity in all possible ways. In the absence of proper preparation – medical, psychological, or social, panic and fear quickly gripped most people. And yet, the fact that many, with or without any religious convictions, are putting their heads together to help our society stay afloat, is so worthy of note.
The novelty and sense of unbridled panic with which many of our people have been handling the circulation of news and daily happenings through social media is almost an embarrassment, to put it mildly. Our social skills, or more correctly, the lack of them, are being put out right in the open with brazen crudeness for the whole world to see and hear. Hate speeches and unfiltered social media posts are being countered in a jiffy by “opponents” with equally matching volume and sting. The fiercest battles are being fought on social media as virtual heads are chopped off mercilessly. Cyber rage, hatred, reprisal, and coups, seem to occupy most people’s attention, some in the thick of them, and most as agitated spectators.
The casualties from the war of words, assumptions, allegations, accusations, and suspicions, will very likely take some time to heal, if they heal at all, that is. Much damage has been committed in hearts and souls already. In some situations, it has been a war sadder and sicker than the Coronavirus itself. Unfortunately, we have made it more than clear that we still have a long way to go in matters of our Emotional Intelligence (EQ). By saying what we want to say in exactly the way we wish to say it, we have exposed our lack of control and maturity.
We seem to be giving the impression that the little level of education and exposure we have attained so far has only taught us to be sarcastic, quick-tongued, judgemental, and ungrateful. The need for boundaries and borders in matters of our minds and words is crystal clear. Will we even care to take time to retrace our words and deeds and think, and most importantly, change? If at all, the repugnant “mood” hovering over our people today is indicative of the society and future we are carving out for tomorrow, shouldn’t we be concerned? Shouldn’t we be revisiting the great legacy the first Naga Christians handed down to us? Isn’t the treasure we ought to have in our hearts and lives as believers much more important and greater than all the evils and miseries around us?
This season, while some utilised the time to catch up on works and engage in pleasurable and noble hobbies, some turned into thieves and villains. Sad stories of physical, verbal, and sexual abuse surfaced. While some houses got transformed into homes again (thanks to Family Worship hours and Bible Studies), some families tragically fragmented into splinters. Our stories have been hot and cold; happy and sad, in most cases, in extreme degrees.
The greatest saving grace has been seeing many committed Christians – the medical fraternity, leaders, bureaucrats, church leaders, volunteers - quietly toiling day and night, giving their utmost even in the most inconvenient circumstances, expecting nothing in return. These gems have no time or energy to flaunt and splash their magnanimous deeds on social media for a few hours of fame. They continue to do what they are doing as Christ would have done. And they plod on even now as uncertainty and growing needs loom over the State. If at all our stories during this Covid-19 season get carried over to faraway lands, may this section be not left out. It is true, there are good and noble-hearted people in our land. There are Christians who care, who love, no matter what.
This pandemic, however unwelcomed, presented the best time for us Naga Christians to exhibit Christlikeness at all levels of our lives. It has been, and still is, an opportune time to show what it means to bear the fruit of the Spirit in all our dealings and interactions, whatever section of society or tribe or group we may belong to. The fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). There is nothing distasteful or antagonistic in that.
Sacrifice and selflessness are at the core of the Christian message. Christ showed it to us through his own life example. The missionaries brought the Gospel and showed us what it is all about. We have our head-hunting history to talk and tell others about. But do we have our own examples to show and talk about what it means to be a Christian today, particularly in this crisis? If Christianity is about trusting in an All-powerful and just God, who gives and takes life in accordance to His own good and high purposes, and if we profess to believe in such a God, how should we be living our lives? What is the Covid-19 crisis unearthing about us and our professed faith?
If we are to draw our conclusion based on what has been transpiring before our eyes day after day in this season, we have to humbly admit that we still have a long way to go. However reluctant we may be to concede, we are still chewing on basics, making petty issues our daily diet. It is only when we become more humane as we are meant to be, more Christian as we have been granted the privilege to be, that God will find us worthy to be called His followers. As recipients of God’s grace, we ought to be dispensing grace to others, regardless of tribe, nation or race, and be found in a place where our neighbour’s joy becomes our joy, his or her loss becomes our loss, and his or her safety and security becomes our genuine concern.
How far have we come? Perhaps we have covered some good miles but clearly, we still have a long way to go. Beneath the veneer of sophistication and some amount of civility, we are far from having arrived. But thank God, our story has not finished. And He who graciously took us into His fold also walks with us still.
Buno Iralu