Nagas and Education
By: Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak
Impact of Dominant Culture Upon Traditional Naga Society
Up to this point I have tried to indicate some of the basic virtues in Naga Society. Our
society was once characterized by its communality, sense of justice, equality, integrity,
honesty, and religiosity. In such a society one finds a sense of belonging because all the
important activities affecting individuals and the community are done together, keeping in
mind the welfare of the village community as a whole. In such a society there is mutual
trust, respect for eldest, obedience to parents, absence of juvenile delinquency, sharing
of worldly goods, sacrifice in service, and a feeling of oneness and unity. But what has
been happening to all these Naga virtues since they came in contact with Westerners in the
1830s? This contact brought many breaks in indigenous Naga practices. Old customs and
traditions were rapidly forsaken or modified beyond recognition, and old beliefs which for
ages had been firmly held were quietly dropped, party because the young men soon learned
that they were not worthy of credence. The Christian population grew steadily, and the
spirit of change invaded and pervaded every aspect of village life. Mills identified some
of the agencies that brought change to the Naga areas during the Pax Britannica:
"officials engaged in administration, the battalion of Assam Rifles stationed in the
district, foreign traders (non-Nagas), missionaries of the American Baptist Mission, and
servants, retired sepoys and other foreigners living in the district.
With the Westerners, came improved methods of travel and communication and development of
commerce. Village traders, previously cut off from the plains and more distant villages by
hostile neighbours, were able to journey in safety. Some Naga traders, particularly
Angamis access of the marketplaces and contact with Europeans led to the introduction of
the metallic currency of India as the medium of exchange, displacing the barter system.
Unfortunately, the introduction of coin into Naga areas has been a rise in money lender
who today charges as high as 50 to 100% interest per annum; as a result more and more
Nagas become heavily indebted each year. British control of the Naga areas also led to the
introduction of manufactured goods into the region, replacing goods made by hand, such as
earthen pots, wooden plate, etc. today Naga basket and mat weaving, wood carving, and
other indigenous handicrafts and artistic works have almost been abandoned due to the
availability of manufactured counterparts on the market at a cheaper rate than they could
produce.
The presence of foreigners, whether European or Indian, influenced the behaviour of the
Nagas. Missionaries and officials lived in great splendor of the Nagas; this gave the
impression that they had unlimited wealth at their disposal. Opportunity to earn money in
the services of Europeans made many Nagas less industrious. They began to demand higher
pay from foreigners than from their own people; at the government officials and a
battalion of Assam Rifles caused a small town to grow up at Kohima. With so many
government workers (foreigners as well as Nagas) in kohima their was a demand for woman.
Any Naga girl who lived nearby could run away from home if she quarreled with her parents,
and could always find some old woman who would teach her how easily she could make money
by prostitution, which was unknown in the old days. Such girls rarely returned home. Thus
Nagas began migrating and communal life. Establishment of civil courts in government
head-quarters has also downgraded the village and tribal authorities. Today Nagas are
inclined to rust to court with every quarrel instead of first laying their case before the
village elders.
Today a great number of Nagas are neither truly Nagas nor are they absorbed in the
dominant culture; they seem to have picked up the worst of both. Corruption is rampant
amount the educated Nagas, many of whom profess to be Christian. Bribery is a thriving
commodity today in Naga society where the percentage of Christians is very high. Even
pastors and full time church workers have become lovers of money. "Whoever loves
money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his
income." (Eccl. 5:10 NIV). "For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil
. some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with
many grief.". ( I Tom 6:10 NIV). Contrary to our traditional way of life, today
sexual immorality is thriving, partly as a result of being exposed to western movies,
pictures of naked women, and blue videos. Drunkards and drug addicts are on the increase.
The moral backbone of the Nagas seems to be breaking down fact. Unless moral and spiritual
invalids, as well as political and economic parasites.
Non-Nagas who have come as traders, merchants, and government officials have usurped our
land. They have denude our forest. Some Nagas in their greed and selfishness have
collaborated with outsiders in getting rid of the timber from our forest. the flora and
fauna of our forest have become almost extinct. If New Delhi should stop spending crorse
of rupees each year, where would we turn for our livelihood, since we have just about
destroyed our land and our forests due to our carelessness and our greed. Do the Nagas
have any future? Can education help the Nagas revive some of their past glories such as
community spirit, justice and equality, integrity and ethical living, fear of and
reverence for God, as well as regain control of the land and forests through reclamation
and afforestation? I believe it can, and still be able to incorporate the best from the
dominant culture in order that the best in our culture and economy may grow naturally.
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