100-year-old Siesa Yano with his 93-year-old wife, Sietorei Yano in their home in Kigwema.
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | September 2
Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of Nagaland, and located about 15 kilometres away from the state capital, Kigwema is still home to a generation who lived through the World War II and the significant Naga Plebiscite of 1951.
Among them is Siesa Yano who just celebrated his 100th birthday on September 1 in the presence of family, friends and well-wishers who gathered at Kigwema Baptist Church to thank God for his remarkable life along with his 93-year-old wife, Sietorei Yano.
Blessed with 8 children, 22 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren, Siesa’s father, Vohu Yano had also lived to be 106.
In 1944, General KÕtoku SatÕ, who commanded the Japanese 31st Division during the World War II Battle of Kohima had also taken shelter in Kigwema in a Japanese-style house just a few metres apart from where Siesa lives. To this day, the house still remains intact and stands as a historical landmark in Kigwema.
During the time, Siesa served as an errand boy to the General KÕtoku SatÕ and he would gather wild edible ferns for the general for which he was rewarded a few yens. He was also taught Japanese by a female Japanese soldier and still vividly remembers a few words and a tune, which he excitedly sings for family and visitors.
His association with both the Japanese and the British Army as a young boy further instilled in him the interest for the art of gunsmithing and eventually developed guns on his own. He proved his skill as a gunsmith when two individuals from his khel accidentally ruined a public gun, which he examined and made the necessary modifications.
Later, when the gun was taken to the then Deputy Commissioner of Kohima for registration by the two individuals, the DC was said to be impressed by his skill and also gave him his license even without asking.
Siesa would teach the art of gunsmithing ‘Naga Style’ as he put it, to his grandchildren and few others in the village, who still possess the skill.
‘There is hope to achieve what we have always dreamt of’
Siesa Yano studied only up to Class 5 and quit school to join the Naga cause for sovereignty. It was exactly this reason why he along with his parents and elder sister gave their thumb impressions for the Naga Plebiscite with the hope for a sovereign Naga country.
Recalling that particular time in history, he said, “it was May, one of the busiest seasons for farmers and most of us were out in the fields, the village was all quiet, but when volunteers came seeking us, we responded to the call without any hesitation.”
In the early 1950s, Siesa Yano along with Lhousieo Bei-o escorted A.Z Phizo back to Khonoma, who had sought refuge in Kigwema region. Yano was also arrested, beaten and jailed by the Indian Army for his pro Naga nationalist movement.
At the age of 100, after witnessing a world war and the Indo-Naga Conflict, he still believes that Nagaland can be an independent country. “There is hope even though my generation may not witness that day, the present young generation will soon achieve what we have always dreamt of”, he expressed.
His son, Kukheto Yano and nephew, Atho Yano related that, “it’s a special joy to see him turn 100 and also to be able to receive his blessings. By God’s grace, he has not had any major health problems and we are extremely thankful for God’s abundant love and care for our family.”
Siesa’s 100th birthday was a Thanksgiving Celebration during which he also blessed all his children and expressed his wish that they would live in the fear of God.
