The Nagaland Literature Festival 2024 organized by Writers Collective Kohima was observed at Capital Cultural Hall Complex Kohima under the theme “Amplifying Our Indigenous Voices” on November 13.
The event was graced by president of Ura Academy and former chief minister, Dr. Shurhozelie Liezietsu as special guest. In his address, Dr. Shurhozelie said education reached the people very late through the first American Baptist Missionary, Rev. Clark in 1872 and the first formal School founded by his wife, Mary Mead Clark in 1878 that spread education in the Naga inhabited areas but the journey of the people in attaining education was very slow due to various reasons.
He also shared past instances where people faced serious challenges and disadvantages in the field of literature by highlighting how the Japanese invasion in World War-II, Kohima completely destroyed the little literature confined to mission centres and again during the Indo-Naga War in the fifties, the few literatures that people possessed once again destroyed.
Even though the spread of education was slow, the progress made by the younger Naga generation was laudable, as they made rapid stride in learning to catch up with the modern world, Dr. Shurhozelie said.
Emphasizing on the theme “Amplifying Our Indigenous Voices”, he encouraged all to amplify their voices through writing of books on prose, poems, narratives, epic, dramatic, etc. He added that Naga writing and literature were at a very crucial and exciting juncture as the people are in the process of learning to reclaim the narrative and find out authentic voices.
SDO (C) Kohima, Abeinuo Jasmine Ashao, who spoke on “The Indigenous Women’s Voice: A Perspective” highlighted about the Naga women shared the same rights as men and enjoy better position than that of other societies and communities, with no distinction between men and women in the Naga society.
She highlighted about Naga female performance and achievement in academics, career and in different sectors socially and economically and also having female representative to the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and ULBs.
During the inaugural function, the opening remarks was delivered by Vishu Rita Krocha, of Writer Collective and chaired by Kevilenuo Miachieo. Special performance was also presented by Mhasheseno Hibo. The festival was attended by mostly young people from different colleges.