The recurring theme is an idea, an impression or an undeniable pattern that is clearly noticeable when we consider a situation, a story, an episode or series of episodes. For example, when we read a novel or a book, as we go through the pages, it will not take us long to realize what the novel or book is all about. The idea, impression or pattern that we can constantly garner as we read the pages is the recurring theme of that book.
So, as we consider or think about the Naga story from its earliest known accounts to the present times, what do you think is the recurring theme of our story? Today I want to delve into this subject to bring to light the undeniable recurring theme which has shaped our story and can still have far reaching consequences for better or for worse.
First, historical accounts say that Nagas were warrior tribes who indulge in the most horrific practice of head-hunting wherein head-hunting warriors were idolized and glorified beyond measure. The more heads a Naga warrior was able to hunt the more the respect, the glory and the reverence.
But despite the fact that the Nagas were totally absurd and foolish in seeking glory and name through meaningless pursuit in the form of hunting each others’ head, one glaring facet of our bygone society was that we were self sufficient and self sustaining as we did not depend on anybody for our survival. We cultivated and tilted our own lands and lived a thriving existence even when the world did not know about our existence.
Second, when the world first found us in our naked barbaric condition, the impression that we gave out was that we were an uncivilized primitive hill people who were just living to eat, copulate and then die when our time is done. Outsiders who first came into contact with us obviously must have gotten the impression that we were a people who did not have any form of societal regulation or order.
But contrary to the popular beliefs, the Naga forefathers lived by some high sense of societal regulation where everybody knew his responsibilities and obligations and did not venture or intrude into other people’s domain which could cause disharmony or discord in the village community.
Thirdly, when the American missionaries reached our lands with the gospel, they found us to be a people completely cut off from the rest of the outside world living in total ignorance and oblivion of other civilizations. And it naturally must have given an impression that the Nagass were a nasty barbaric and primitive people who had a twisted idea of the supernatural and would have nothing to do with virtues like love, compassion, grace or redemption.
But contrary to these impressions, our Naga forefathers were deeply religious people who had high respect and reverence for the spirits whom they believed to have power over all aspects of their lives. And they observed different festivals and ceremonies for sowing and harvesting seasons, before embarking on journeys, for waging wars and for going on the much hyped headhunting expeditions. And our fathers tried their utmost to live a high moral life lest they offend the spirits.
Fourthly, when the western missionaries, educationists and explorers found us in the middle and later parts of the 19th century, the Nagas must have exhibited an impression that we were a purely primitive and barbaric people who would have no interest or affinity in the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom and would not be able to understand western language or western philosophies that have shaped and molded the western world. Christian missionaries also must have doubted our ability to understand or comprehend the gospel of Christ.
But the truth is that our forefathers did come to learn foreign language when it was introduced to them. Our forefathers did come to understand, appreciate and accept western philosophies, education and knowledge. And above all, our forefathers did come to understand, believe and accept even the totally foreign gospel message that was sparked off in the Middle East by the resurrection of an innocent man who was crucified on a Roman cross more than 2000 years ago.
Fifthly, at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the Nagas must have exhibited an impression that we would not be able to understand politics or modern forms of government like democracy. But the truth is that some historians who had seen our societies at close quarters described the Nagas as a people who lived under the purest form of democracy comparable to those of the ancient city states of Greece where the voice and opinion of everyone was respected and valued.
Moreover, when some Nagas were taken to Europe as part of the British labor corps during the First World War, these Nagas saw firsthand the political psyche deeply embedded in the fabric of Europe and how fiercely people fought and died for their fatherland. They saw the spirit of patriotism at its peak in Europe and thus when they returned back, they ignited the spirit of patriotism and nationalism in our hearts and our history would never be the same again. So, to all those who thought that Nagas will not understand politics or patriotism we proved them wrong again.
Sixthly, even after the spirit of patriotism and nationalism were ignited in us, if the Nagas had failed to convert those ideas and knowledge into practical actions, then our story would have ended even before it began. But that was not the case. Our farsighted leaders were able to convert our spirit of patriotism and nationalism into concrete tangible actions by forming bodies like the Naga Club and the NNC and by having the fortitude to take bold actions like writing and submitting the Naga Memorandum to the Simon Commission, declaring our Independence to the world on 14th August 1947, conducting the Naga Plebiscite in May 1951, boycotting Indian elections in 1952 etc.
So, from all these accounts, the recurring theme that emerges is that, contrary to what many had assumed us to be, we are a people who can understand history, language, culture, philosophy, religion and politics not only of ourselves but also of others.
So, the recurring theme is that, though Nagas had lived undisturbed for many centuries in their own secluded terrain without any contact with the outside world, the Nagas are also humans created in the image of God and endowed with clear conscience and reasoning power and the ability to choose between good and evil and between right and wrong and that we (though small in number) are also second to none in intellect, reasoning power, ability or will.
The recurring theme is also that many of the episodes which we experienced and survived are nothing short of miracle and divine intervention and also that we can achieve anything upon which we set our minds and hearts. So there might have been times when outsiders considered us as primitive, barbaric or uncivilized. But the recurring theme is that we are not sub-humans incapable of standing on our own feet but that we are capable of sustaining ourselves and living an independent existence even if no one offers any helping hand to us.
So, if we can somehow figure out all the dynamics involved in these past episodes, the recurring theme is that we can also still understand and figure out the dynamics that are at play in our contemporary society. Our world and our society is an evolving one and what worked in the past may not work today. Lately we had been demanding review of laws like the Liquor Prohibition Act, Job Reservation Policy etc. And if we can demand for review of these acts, why can’t we also demand for review or stricter implementation of political documents like the “16 Point Agreement” which is arguably the most important document in force in our land today.
So, as humans endowed with reasoning power, sense of right and wrong, the ability to retrospect and to view things on hindsight, it is pertinent that we understand the recurring theme that has brought us thus far. And in the case of the Nagas, the recurrent theme is clear and obvious. It tells us that our history and destiny is unique in its own way which would require unique handling and unique solution. The recurring theme also reminds us of a divine hand guiding us all along. And thus as a people who have gone through extreme plights coupled with timely divine intervention, it is crucial that we recognize the recurring theme evident throughout the pages. Only then can we identify the recurring theme of our present page and face the challenges that confront us today head on with or even without the assistance of outside forces.
