Nuzota Swuro expresses concern over losing cultural identity

PHUSACHODU — Nuzota Swuro, chairman of the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency (NBDA), expressed concern on Monday about the decline of culture and traditions among the current generation and advocated for the revisiting and revival of good traditional practices of the forefathers.

Addressing the general meeting of the Chokri Area Gaon Bura Union (CAGBU) at Phusachodu Village Community Hall in Phek district, he called upon the GBs to serve as guardians and trailblazers for these initiatives.

Swüro expressed concern about the decline in the spread of folktales and folklore, knowledge of history and indigenous practices, folk songs, and other cultural practices, stating that it is high time to bring them back from the brink of extinction.

He attributed the decline to the absence of Nagas’ own written script, the diminishing culture of Morung to pass down knowledge, experience, and skills to younger generations, and the fact that churches have also abandoned the good practices of the forefathers.

Further, he said that the absence of educational materials, such as textbooks, focusing on children learning their own traditions, despite exposure to other cultures in school, contributes to the decline of culture. Also, he cited the increasing reliance on computers, the internet, and artificial intelligence as factors exacerbating this decline.

While acknowledging their indispensability in modern life, he lamented the erosion of human relations and communication within society, which he deemed invaluable treasures. In this regard, he warned that society could lose itself when it is not grounded in its roots and could possibly be misled by artificial intelligence.

Swüro stated that the Chakhesang tribe was geographically divided for administrative convenience, into various areas. He mentioned, among others, that the Chokri area has its own traditionally practiced customs that distinguish it from other areas.

The chairman also emphasised the need to revisit the good old practices that ancestors traditionally and religiously followed, locally known as ‘Kenyi, Metswu, and Menga’ (forbidden, fearful, and shameful), which govern society without any other written rules.

He stated that although there were some practices of the ancestors that contradicted Christian practices and were abandoned, he asserted the need to uphold and revive those that are relevant for society.

Earlier, Zadulhu, of the Phek District Gaon Bura Association (PDGBA), also addressed the programme. He stated that GBs have a significant role to play for the village, pointing out that their appointment was first made during the colonial era, marking it as the first government appointment in the history of the Nagas.

He exhorted the GBs to desist from mismanagement of public money and facilities, emphasising the importance of respecting their role and maintaining moral integrity to earn trust and respect from society.

CAGBU consists of 12 village units and currently has 63 members.