“The Hornbill Festival: Culture, Tradition and Identity” authored by Dr. Tatongkala was launched by Abu Metha, Advisor to Chief Minister, Nagaland, and Chairman of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) on February 8 in Dimapur.
The book launch was chaired by Dr. NouzhieninoPeseyie, HoD Department of Psychology, Tetso College and attended by unionssuch as Longkhum Senso Telongjem Dimapur, Longkhum Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur, Longjang Senso Telongjem Dimapur, andLongjang Kaketshir Telongjem Dimapur who came to show their support.
Published by Heritage Publishing House, the book offers a critical discussion on the facets of culture spectacle and cultural politics of Naga identity in the context of the Hornbill Festival.
In the publisher’s note, Dr. LanusanglaTzudir, Chief Editor, Heritage Publishing House, stated that the book was the first academic research work on the Hornbill Festival.
Special Guest Abu Metha congratulated the author and thanked the publisher for supporting and believing in her. He acknowledged the effort and sacrifices made by the author in order to come out with a “well researched” book such as this. He gave a background on the Hornbill Festival that is held at Kisama every year and the dynamic change it has brought about in the state of Nagaland. He said, “Hornbill Festival is one way to push Naga identity”.
According to Metha, it is the most popular, well known intellectual property Nagaland has. Speaking on the book, he expressed hope it will create new narratives, educate and open new doors. He concluded by urging Nagas to write and speak about “ourselves, our people and our land.”
Talking about her first book, Dr.Tatongkala said it was the outcome of years of research that proved to be both challenging and rewarding. She said the Hornbill Festival has rarely been a subject of research; hence, she hopes her book will serve as a reference for researchers and scholars while also contributing to cultural awareness and heritage preservation.
The programme culminated with a dedicatory prayer by Pastor Imnatoshi Longkumer, DABA , followed by a felicitation by LongjanglarTelongjem Dimapur.
Dr. Tatongkala is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History, Tetso College.