The forefathers of the Nagas were called head-hunters as they lived in the era of uncivilized and savage age. In villages’ feuds, taking the heads of their enemies was regarded as their reputation and skulls were displayed in the Morung as their prides. It was really a head-hunting and savage age.
Since the nineteenth century, a new era was dawned in our land. Light started shining in the heart of the people who received the gospel of Jesus Christ brought to our people by missionaries and education as educational institutions were started. The gospel is really a message of salvation, life and freedom from slavery of sin. The gospel is really a message of freedom from the concept of head hunting and destruction of human life but it is a message of love and salvation.
Today, most of our people are Christians who are no longer living under the domain of darkness like our forefathers did. But in spite of being Christians and educated, the savaged mentality of killing is not changed. Today, sophisticated weaponries are used in killing and more people were killed in our Christian era than in head hunting era. In the past, the people did not know the true God, they did not read the Bible and they did not pray. Today our people know the true God, we read the Bible and we do pray but more people are killed, the people more deceived and threatened and more divisions are created. The rival groups could not meet with one another for more than twenty and thirty years. Reconciliation was brought about through the co-ordination of foreigner friends only without which reconciliation will be impossible even till now. We praise God for the reconciliation and we owe great indebtedness to the FNR for their tireless effort. We are glad that the top leaders could meet together and talk. But our people had committed blunders before the world and great sins before God for which we should repent and confess our sins. We have unchristianized ourselves and racially speaking we have Africanized ourselves. We have to shed not tears of joy but of sorrow.
The Nagas are brave people. Being scrupulous or unscrupulous does not matter much. Our pride is high, so even a single tribe will not hesitate to make any agreement in the national movement. One day, if the Nagas get independence, certain tribe or tribes will not hesitate to secede from Nagaland because the blood of sectarianism runs in their veins.
Our being Christians is without relationship with God in our way of practical life. Many of us are good Christians till an election comes. When an election comes, many people forget Christ and jump into violence and fight for election. What a great shame it is!
The solution for you and me and for all is “Actually know God, believe in Him, fear Him and obey Him.” Let us pray this prayer every day, “Our God, give me wisdom and power so that I may really know You, believe in You, fear You and obey You.”
Rev. L. Suohie Mhasi
