Certificate recipients and Ao Riju officials pose for a group photo during the 7th Arangtet Tatidang certificate conferment ceremony held at Aor Kilem, Mokokchung, on October 11. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Mokokchung | October 12
The Ao Riju (Ao Academy) conferred certificates to 104 students during its 7th Arangtet Tatidang certificate conferment ceremony held at Aor Kilem, Mokokchung, on Saturday.
Rev Temsü Jamir, Executive Secretary of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM), graced the occasion as the guest speaker and delivered a keynote address on the theme “Soballba Tamentakdakji Pel Oshl” (The base of culture is its own language).
Among the awardees, 21 students completed the Ao Certificate Course, 43 received the Ao Diploma Course, and 40 earned the Post Graduate Diploma Course.
In his opening remarks, I. Meyionen Jamir, Chief Information Commissioner (Rtd.), Nagaland, traced the journey of Ao Riju, recalling that it began in 2006 as the Ao Senden Literature Board before being renamed Ao Riju in 2023. Since its inception, a total of 769 students have successfully cleared various proficiency levels under the Arangtet examinations conducted by the Academy. The exams, held twice annually, will resume the biannual schedule from next year after a temporary adjustment in 2025.
He further informed that the Ao Senden has made it mandatory for Ao language teachers in schools and colleges to clear the Arangtet exam, underscoring the importance of linguistic proficiency for teaching roles. However, he also reminded achievers that not all may find teaching employment and encouraged them to contribute in other ways toward the growth and preservation of the Ao language.
Highlighting one of the key challenges faced by the Ao Riju, Meyionen Jamir noted that many existing Ao books are written by elders who have not cleared the Arangtet exams, making spelling standardization difficult. He emphasized that certified achievers bear the responsibility to help bridge this gap by writing and publishing works that adhere to standardized forms while learning from elders’ wisdom.
He clarified that only Ao literature produced with the knowledge and approval of Ao Riju will be considered for inclusion in school and college syllabi to ensure spelling uniformity. Dismissing misconceptions, he clarified that the intent is not to restrict creativity or ownership but to maintain uniformity for effective learning.
He also announced that a revised edition of the Ao Osep (Ao Language Dictionary) will be released soon, incorporating missing words and new entries. He encouraged youth interested in developing language-related applications to wait for the revised edition before undertaking new projects, so that efforts can be harmonized.
Delivering his address, Rev Temsü Jamir underlined the intrinsic relationship between language and cultural identity. He described language as “not merely a tool for communication but the identity of a tribe,” carrying within it a people’s wisdom, worldview, and spirit of ancestry. “Language is a living story of a community,” he said, “and within it lies the essence of a people’s lifestyle, faith, and values.”
He cautioned that translating a language often results in the loss of deeper meanings, as some expressions are unique to their native linguistic and cultural contexts. Citing linguists and anthropologists, Rev Jamir reiterated that “language is the storehouse of culture” and reflects the distinctiveness of a community.
He emphasized that language fosters unity, love, and collective identity within a community and serves as a vessel for transmitting proverbs, songs, oral traditions, and cultural wisdom across generations. “When a language dies, those living archives die with it,” he remarked.
Rev. Jamir encouraged churches, organizations, and writers producing Ao language materials to involve Arangtet achievers in their work to promote standardization and sustainability. He concluded that the growth of a language directly supports the growth of a community and its cultural vitality.
The program also featured addresses by Imtipokyim, General Secretary of Ao Senden, and Longrilemba from Ungma, who spoke on behalf of the Arangtet achievers. Certificates were presented by Rev Prof Rongsen Chairman of Ao Riju, while FAC Kaketshir (Ao Honours) presented a special number. I. Temjen Tzüdir, Publishing Head and Coordinator of Ao Riju, delivered the vote of thanks.
