International conference on ‘Language, literature and oral tradition of the Ao-Naga’ held at FAC

MOKOKCHUNG — The first international  conference on ‘Language, literature and oral tradition of the Ao-Naga,’ organised by Ao Riju and Language Translation  Centre (LTC), Fazl Ali College (FAC) and sponsored by Kohima Aor Pensioner Telungjem (KAPT) was held at the conference hall of FAC in Chuchuyimpang village under Mokokchung district on Wednesday.

Keynote speaker of the conference, Dr. Roger Blench McDonald from Institute of Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, addressed the participants on virtual mode.

He observed the Naga languages form a large and complex subgroup of trans-Himalayan (Sino-Tibetan) family. He also observed that Naga languages are spoken in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar but lamented that the level of documentation remains very poor.

McDonald asserted that Naga languages are characterised by extreme lexical diversity, but they seem to have common phonological and lexical features. Nevertheless, he stated that they are characterised by common culture.

He also observed that in terms of social structure, Nagas could be characterised as acephalous societies bonded together by clans. He added that houses, musical instruments, weaving, ornaments and figurative arts all indicated typical features with local variations.

In this regard, he argued that there was once a ‘proto-Naga’ with specific cultural elements which began to diversify, perhaps five thousand years ago. He said that more archaeology was needed to start putting dates on this.

He also pointed out that research on the Nagas has expanded exponentially over the last decades but many of the works are unpublished and there are still many lacunae. In this connection, he called for a unify scholarship beyond the borders of India to bring neglected Naga sub-groups to recover threatened language as well as  encouraged to do in-depth and comparative work on Naga materials and immaterial culture specially on Naga social-culture.

He also warned that ‘areas such as architectural heritage are in extreme danger due to the advent of modernisation and its required protection.’

Dr. Watijungshi, president of KAPT, also expressed anguish over the alarming situation of Ao language, which is among the 191 vulnerable languages in India. He asserted that if this trend continues unchecked, the Ao language is at great risk of disappearing in the near future.

He, however, expressed hope that the conference like this would form the backbone of preserving and protecting the Ao language.

He also acknowledged the organisers for their efforts in laying the groundwork for a brighter future for the Ao-Naga language and culture.

He also appealed to the scholars to be the torchbearer of knowledge and the defender of linguistic and cultural legacy.

“The work we do today will help ensure that our language, literature and oral tradition are preserved for future generations. The KAPT is dedicated to promote cultural and academic initiatives that preserve and celebrate our heritage through mentorship or broader network beyond this conference,” he said while giving KAPT’s assurance for continued support for such initiative.

Conference was attended by eminent scholars, professors, academicians, Ao writers and apex bodies of the Ao community.

During the course of the conference, 13 papers were presented both online and offline dwelling on various subjects from archaeology finding of Chungyimtiyimti (the origin of the Ao tribe) to bridging the digital divide for low-resources languages.

The speaker at the conference were Professor Tiatoshi, Department of History and Archaeology at Nagaland University; Yimkotong S Aier, research scholar at Nagaland University; Dr. T Temsunungsang, assistant professor at EFLU, Shillong; Dr. Resenmenla Longchar, assistant professor of History at ICFAI University, Nagaland; Dr. Arenkala Ao, assistant professor of Linguistics at Nagaland University; Dr. Arenmenla Jamir, guest faculty of History and Archaeology at Nagaland University; Chubatoshi, research scholar at Nagaland University; Dr. Karilemla, assistant professor of Philosophy at Savitribai Phule Pune University; Chibeni Merry, research scholar at The Assam Royal Global University, Guwahati; Dr. Lemtila Alinger, assistant professor of English at Nagaland University; Dr. Talisenla, assistant professor of English at Nagaland University; Wapanginla Aier, research scholar at EFLU, Hyderabad; and N John Kuotsu, assistant professor of Computer Science at FAC.