DIMAPUR — Two children's books titled ‘Jump’ and ‘The leopard cat and the otter,’ written by Abokali Jimomi, was launched today by Anungla Zoe Longkumer at The White Owl Book Lounge, Niathu Plaza, in Chümoukedima.
Speaking at the launch programme as special guest, Anungla Zoe Longkumer, who is a musician, writer and filmmaker by profession, reflected on the cultural heritage of the Nagas, whose ancestors were hunters. While the present Naga people have come to adopt modern lifestyle and striving for success in life, she observed that the Nagas still carry within them the essence of hunting animal and birds.
[bsa_pro_ad_space id=1]Longkumer said that while reading the story of Shenili, a fictitious character in the book ‘Jump,' she was struck by a profound thought as to how an individual could experience true fulfillment and achieve a sense of wholeness when they wholeheartedly pursue what they love.
Longkumer also expressed her admiration for the author's work in crafting children's books that not only captivate through the artistic representations but also carry important messages. She has emphasised on the significance of such books in conveying the Naga people's narratives, as they play a crucial role in fostering understanding and self-awareness among the Naga community.
She believed that those types of books serve as a means to help the Naga people comprehend their own identity as Nagas. She added that books of such nature, where stories were narrated by them, about them, and for them, hold immense value in empowering them to redefine their own narratives and added that such books serve as a beacon to light the path that they would walk as proud Naga people.
Longkumer commended the simplicity and honesty with which those stories were told. She also appreciated the creative approach taken by the author and expressed hope that the books would resonate in both children and adults alike, through which their rich heritage could be carried forward into the future.
While delivering the publisher’s note, Vishü Rita Krocha said that in the last nie years of publishing books, she had come across manuscripts and stories with foreign names and places that are not recognise locally. She said that the launch of ‘Jump’ and ‘The leopard cat and the otter’ would play a significant role in changing that narrative.
Krocha stated that today’s children are fortunate to have authors like Jimomi, whose keen interest in documenting and telling stories of their indigenous culture is working out for their greater good.
“Our land is bursting with stories and we must all endeavour to document and preserve these stories because as they say, writers are the ultimate keepers of our precious history and culture,” she said.
Delivering the author's note, Abokali Jimomi shared her personal experience of growing up in a rural environment with limited access to bookstores and pre-internet era, where she, like many others, predominantly encountered western literature. She said the realisation dawned upon her that the stories she and her peers were consuming were primarily about others, lacking any representation of the Nagas, which unfortunately the situation persisted even in present times.
Reflecting on her personal journey, Jimomi discussed how injustices portrayed in books such as "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Nobody's Child," and the Biblical story of Joseph profoundly impacted her. She said the character Shenili in ‘Jump’ defied stereotypes, which she found inspiring, as girls in society were often subjected to expectations regarding their behavior, posture and mobility, unlike boys who face fewer restrictions.
On ‘The leopard cat and the otter,’ Jimomi expressed concern about the loss of animal habitats, recognising that while the Nagas no longer rely on hunting for sustenance, the practice still persisted. While acknowledging that some individuals still engage in hunting as a means of livelihood, she stated that such behaviours complicate the issue at hand.