[dropcap]M[/dropcap]ost of us would agree if I say Nagas are fearless people. Apparently yes, then and there when we raided the giant British colonial army and their subjects. Our history tells us that, we were a fearless group of people who fought to resist foreign dominance and interference such as from the Ahoms and neighboring kingdoms, even with the modern India in the 70s.
In one of the battle of the many battles, Captain Jenkins made a treaty with Velothie a Naga warrior at Khonoma, Jenkins took an oath saying that the Naga cultural traditions customs and socio-cultural practices would not be disturbed by the British government. Back then we did not have better weapons than the Britishers or the Ahoms, yet today with the arrival of modern weapons and war equipments at our disposal we seems to be more fearful than any other time. We have rocket launchers and AK 47 rifles, assorted with grenades and missiles but we are covered with camouflaged uniforms, staying indoors for fear of frisking by our own Naga brothers and security personals.For sure, Nagas are a small nation growing up among nascent nations like China, Myanmar and India. And it is obvious that feelings of insecurity as a nation is anticipated, when the whole of the Nagas are not even a district of UP in India. But that does not keep us away from becoming a nation.
It is observed that the feelings of our insecurity is not only limited to our weapons and being small in size, but has extended to daily lifestyle. The recent threat of the 1000 hour bandh imposed by the Karbis (JACAS) gave a mad rush for the denizens of Kohima to fill their fuel tanks and all possible jars with fuel. The traffic was formed in a serpentine shape not even allowing other vehicles to ply on the main road. One thing I could see was; fear, anger, anxiety and impatience on the faces of the drivers who were on the queue for their take. Another incident was the rumor of salt scarcity last November 2013, where many shopkeepers closed their shops in fear of customers.
It seems like bombing at our premises, corruption and backdoor appointments in our offices, gun shots in the market, flow of IMFL at every nook and corners of Kohima and Dimapur, the rise of IBI immigrants in our villages and towns, vandalism and indiscriminate violent attitudes meted at our brothers and sisters in Ralan area does not give any sign of fear and insecurity for the Nagas anymore. But the hoax of petrol and salt scarcity seems to be more alarming than any of these evils that are playing hide and seek in our land.
Another clear indicator of who Nagas are today is the General elections that come to every house and individuals after every five years. We all make headlines in the daily papers when it comes to any kind of election. Tuophema and Chiechama are comparatively two peaceful model villages, but the by-poll elections this year brought these two villages into the limelight story line of what Nagas are today. Concomitantly many of us are afraid of what the next general elections would bring about.
As I recollect my younger days, the image of guarding my mom comes to memory. She is a cultivator and I would guard her with my bore gun just to make her feel secure from fear of the Indian armies who loiter around our paddy field. Today, she is more scared of our own NPG’s for many reasons or no reasons at all.
I would strongly assume that our love for materialism and the extravagant lifestyles have frozen the culture of simplicity and honesty. It appears that our social values and ethical principles are at stake. With the presence of the technological age looming in our society; entertainment, hedonism, fantasy, popularity, individualism and egocentric attitudes have established its root in our culture.
The challenges of modern ideologies are complex and therefore it poses a direct threat to traditional idea of doing things. The transition from Pre-modernity to modernity and post-modernity has redefined values in our lives. Thus what is considered virtuous, noble and honorable yesterday have become less appealing and more appalling. G.K. Chesterton rightly states, “The modern materialists are not permitted to doubt; they are forbidden to believe.”
It is obvious that our reliance on technologies and machines have disoriented our faith in our social ethical fabrics that guards our morality. Thus, the fear of losing our assets is greater than losing the social fabrics such as; simplicity, kindness, dignity of labor and respect. Bertrand Russell concurs, “It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly.”
As we sit back and ponder what has gone wrong with us today? The question of what is our heritage comes to the forefront? But we have sadly redefined our heritage into events of inviting a chief guest and coming together for a piece of meal. Our heritage is not only: Road shows and Hornbill, our heritage is not World War II or fratricidal war, our heritage is not deficit budget and bogus appointments, our heritage is not power theft and voting thefts, our heritage is not NSCN or NNC today, our heritage is not only festivals and carnivals, our heritage is not only Naga wrestling, jostling NPSC and Bogus School Education.
Our Naga heritage is; Pride in honesty, Power in dignity, Contentment in Simplicity, Fulfillment in Generosity, Commitment in Hospitality and Adoration in Respect. “My father let my country awake”.
Villo Naleo
SBS, Sechü-Zubza
