The average Naga readership that comprises the majority, has peculiar reading habits. For instance, if an article or feature is “so-called” too long, they just give up half-way. The only consolation is that the reader even reached the half-way mark. Of course, there are diehard readers who go the whole hog.To read is to understand the meaning of (written or printed words or symbols); to read also means to speak (written or printed words) aloud. To “read into” is to think that something has a meaning that it may not denote ; to read between the lines is to look for or discover a meaning that is interesting to read. Unwritten or unsaid, these definitions surface consciously or subconsciously, whenever anyone takes to reading practically any subject.
As far as can be ascertained, book stalls particularly in Kohima and Dimapur have a widely variety of books on various subjects. It has also been noted that works of fiction which are popular world-wide and are bestsellers, are in limited availability. It is only the committed readership who regularly buys them.
It is a fact many affluent people do not bother on the advantages of reading. For, to read well is also to understand the essence of the three ‘R’s—reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmatic which are the foundation stones of education. No doubt, different readers will have penchant for different subjects which are unlimited. The point is not only to develop the habit of reading but to sustain it as well.
For those who are not interested in books bestsellers though they might be there is a need for all Nagas to try and learn much about their very own history albeit mostly written by British administrators posted in the then Naga Hills. These include Verrier Elwin’s “Nagas in the Nineteenth Century” a massive consolidation of monographs jotted down by different authors and covers most of the Naga tribes. Then there are books like “The Angami Nagas” by J.H. Hutton. In this connection, the author has described the tribe as being of four groups—Northern, Southern, Western and Eastern. The last comprise a large section, and have in 1948 changed their nomenclature to Chakhesang, an acronym of three sub-tribes, namely, Chokri, Khezha and Sangtam (now Pochury). Zeliangs have been included in the Western group.
Other books are “The Ao Nagas” by J.P. Mills as also “The Sema Nagas” and The Rengma Nagas”. Another British author, Christopher von Haimendorf wrote “Naked Nagas” based on the Konyak tribe and twenty years later he wrote a sequel, “Return to the Naked Nagas.” The Nagaland Government has the copyrights for the above mentioned books and will mostly be available in the State Library.
Asoso Yonuo wrote “The Rising Nagas” dealing with the Naga scenario as of forty years ago. In the 1980s late Hokishe Sema, third Chief Minister of Nagaland wrote “Emergence of Nagas”. Other books concerned are P.D. Stracey’s “Nagaland Nightmare” and more recently, ”The Naga Imbroglio” by senior journalist Charles Chasie. And a former Indian military officer who married Phizo’s daughter, Rasino, wrote “Nagaland in Transition.”
One book deals with the State’s capital. It is titled “Kohima” by Arthur Swinson and deals with the battle of Kohima in 1944 during World War II wherein the Japanese army was halted in its advance by the Allied army. In 1978, the late journalist, Nirmal Nibedon, wrote “Nagaland: Night of the Guerrillas.” Another senior journalist, Mhiesizokho Zinyu, wrote “Phizo and the Naga Problem.” More recent books are those by Easterine Kire, Kaka D.
Iralu and Dr.Temsula Ao whose books have been published by Penguin India.
It is very probable that some related books on the Nagas have been missed and for which Eastern Mirror would welcome the names and titles of their books. The overall factor is for our readers especially the youth to find out and read these books and learn something about our history and lineage.
