In an inspiring demonstration of unity and compassion, a group of twenty-seven individuals, spanning ages 40 to 85, and hailing from Kohima Village in Nagaland, embarked on a transformative tour. Their journey, commencing in Kohima and spanning five days, took them through various destinations, including Wokha (Doyang Hydro Project and Pangti), Mokokchung (Ungma and Mopungchuket), Tuensang (Chare), Shamator (Yakor), Kiphire (Sitimi), Zunheboto (Aghunato), and Phek (Lanye, Chizami, and Pfutsero). The driving force behind this extraordinary journey was a resounding message: “Nagas are one, and it’s time to break free from tribalism.”
As they set forth on their expedition on October 30, their noble mission culminated on November 3, 2023. This delegation comprised 27 individuals, including 19 Kohima Village Gaon Buras (GB), the Kohima Village GB Judicial Secretary, the Kohima Village Development Board (VDB) General Secretary, VDB Secretary of one of the four Khels in Kohima Village, and a team of drivers. They embarked on this epic 5-day tour with a convoy of eight vehicles.
According to Vineipra Pienyü, aged 71, Vice President of the Nagaland GB Federation, the idea stemmed from a revelation: that the comfort and accessibility experienced in Kohima Village did not mirror the challenges faced by many Nagas residing in far-flung regions.
He tells Mokokchung Times, “In Kohima village, it doesn’t matter whether it’s morning or evening, we get access to our needs but our Naga brothers and sisters who reside far away face significant struggles. They often need to come to Kohima to fulfill specific needs or even have to walk long distances to access basic necessities like hospitals. In contrast, we lead comfortable lives here, often unaware of the hardships our fellow Naga brothers and sisters endure.”
As VP of the NGBF, Pienyü has traveled extensively across the state, bearing witness to the hardships that befall those who fall ill. He recounted, “Some of them must travel long distances to reach hospitals, and tragically, a few even lose their lives on the way. And, therefore, we decided that we have to see and know how our other Naga brothers are staying. We resolved not only to see their struggles but to carry a message with us.”
The message they sought to convey was powerful and unifying: “Naga people are suffering from tribalism. For instance, if an Ao person accomplishes something remarkable, individuals from the Angami or Sumi communities might respond with, ‘Impressive, but he is an Ao,’ while Ao community members may reciprocate with, ‘but he is an Angami or a Sumi’. These distinctions persist, whether in praise or criticism, often resulting in a lack of mutual support. Our fervent desire is to shift the narrative from identifying individuals by their tribal origins to proudly proclaiming, ‘we are Naga’.”
This message extended to conflicts as well, with Pienyü emphasizing the importance of ensuring that personal disputes do not escalate into inter-tribal confrontations. In times of prosperity or adversity, in moments of joy or suffering, their aim was to convey the message that “We are all Nagas.”
While their hearts were willing, the journey did face financial constraints initially, compounded by the lack of personal vehicles. In a remarkable display of ingenuity and resourcefulness, they procured a pig about 150 kg, and the proceeds from its sale would serve to fuel their mission. With this unique approach, they approached officers within Kohima village, explaining their mission and seeking assistance.
The response from the officers was nothing short of extraordinary. One donated 2 lakhs, another contributed 1 lakh, and numerous others provided donations ranging from 10,000 to 20,000 rupees. In total, they amassed an impressive 3.7 lakh rupees for their mission.
“We also informed the joint commissioner, and to our delight, they relayed the message to the entire district headquarters, leading to free accommodations at all the rest houses. In certain areas, they even provided us with free meals. As a result, we didn’t need to spend the entire sum we had raised,” Pienyü said, expressing his gratitude. During the tour, he said that in every village they settled, they met with the traditional village authorities.
When reflecting on what they have taken away from the tour, Pienyü shared, “We are currently discussing it. In some places, due to the abysmal road conditions, they urged us to convey the extent of the poor road conditions to authorities in Kohima.”
“In certain areas, the discussions revolved around the dire state of the roads, where there is a severe shortage of medicine and doctors. This situation is so critical that patients sometimes pass away on the road. It was heart-wrenching to witness these conditions, and I couldn’t help but shed tears. I felt compelled to convey to the government that if anyone can provide assistance, please, extend your support,” an emotional Pienyü said.
He further said, “I earnestly request the government or any relevant authorities to please extend their help to these communities in need. To my fellow Nagas, I wish us to remain united and love one another. We are Nagas first”.