The importance of Nagamese

1. Many people have expressed their opinion and considering Nagamese Language as a bazaar language; Nevertheless Nagamese Baptist Churches Association (NBCA) after seriously consideration take it as greatest gift from God in which God has blessed us graciously to communicate and to understand one another, therefore NBCA stands firmly to treasure the Nagamese Language as a unifying language and looking forward to develop it for greater interest for the inhabitants of Nagaland.2. Since its inception, the NBCA have been facing a lot of criticism and hurdle from every nook and corners mainly not to give affiliate under NBCC and promoting its mission through Nagamese. However having undergone such ordeal, NBCA dedication and persistent effort under the leadership of former NBCA Executive Secretary Rev .R.Meren and NBCC General Secretary Rev. Dr. Anjo on 7th Feb 2011 NBCA was affiliated as one of the associate member under Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). NBCA, stands firm and shall not shy away instead work harder in promoting Nagamese and shall not remain silent towards recognizing the Nagamese language at Government level. 3. Nagamese Language is playing a vital role in our society be it in rural or urban areas, Nagamese represent the basic communication medium for all the Nagas in Nagaland especially at grassroots level to those people who doesn’t speak English and Hindi for them Nagamese is the only medium to expressing their desires, so NBCA take it as an opportunity to unite the Nagas through Nagamese language in our states. 4. Nagamese is derived from so many different languages like Assamese, Hindi, Bengali, Nepali, Oryia, Bhojpuri, Kachari, Garo, English and Naga tribal languages etc. When we talk about the origin of Nagamese, we can refer or research from their own Dictionary and Grammar for better understanding to make a beautiful Naga language. Since Nagamese is a mixture of so many different languages, For instance we can even change it into Nagamix or any other name instead of Nagamese (since some of us dislike Nagamese ). At the moment NBCA have already released THE BEGINNER OF ANGLO NAGAMESE DICTIONAY in 2015 and now on the process to release Nagamese GRAMMER book. NBCA shall not look back, instead have a plan and decided to take up intensive research on Nagamese literature for the welfare of our states. 5. During our fore-father time, our Naga society was disintegrated and not being able to communicate among ourselves and other neighboring states due to language barrier which leads to many division and difference among our Naga tribes and neighboring states but Thank God, our fore-father has devised a common language (Nagamese) which has broken the greatest barrier among the feuding tribe of Nagas and others, easing tension and war. Furthermore brought peace, harmony, unity and greater development in our Naga society as well as our neighboring states and country through the Nagamese language. 6. Whether Government banned or recognized it or not, Nagas shall speak Nagamese and shall continue to speak from dusk to dawn since we don’t have any other common language to communicate except Nagamese, even now we observed Nagamese language is like international language at this juncture, because even in our neighboring states and country Nagamese is prominently used for communication. Therefore NBCA believe that sooner or later Nagamese will become one of the common language for our Nagas, withholding this facts, NBCA has committed to improve and promote the Nagamese language in every possible ways and means. 7. NBCA believes that promoting, developing and recognizing Nagamese as an official language, it shall not destroy our identity and culture nor hamper any developmental activities, since each tribe of Nagas has their own dialect and exhibit a distinctive tradition and culture. Rather it shall bring more benefit by being united through Nagamese language even to extend of our neighboring states and country. 8. The Literature Department of NBCA has already released, “THE BEGINNER OF ANGLO NAGAMESE DICTIONAY”,”Nagamese Hymnal and Gospel song book”. And in addition to that “How to speak Nagamese within one week”, and “Nagamese Grammar book”, are on process. Above that under Bible Society of India (BSI), Nagamese New Testament translation is an ongoing project. 9. Though Nagamese language has been spoken by the inhabitants of Nagaland, since time immemorial but due to lack of proper research work the importance of Nagamese has been undermine, moreover this language has no particular OWNER/nor a subject of any particular tribe or community, NBCA believe in promoting this language we cannot impose/dictate or stop anybody not to promote or speak. Therefore NBCA appeals to all citizens, NGO’s, Govt agency, scholar and intellectual etc to come forward and contribute to make Nagamese as one of the sweetest language in North East India and even beyond. N.Mhonbemo Patton Convener On behalf of Literature Committee of NBCA patton_adpc@yahoo.com