Governor of Nagaland and Chairman of the North Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre (NEZCC) Nand Kishore Yadav released two books on Naga knowledge and textiles at the NEZCC headquarters, Chumoukedima, on September 25.
The books are Nagas: The Knowledge Practitioners, authored by Alok Kumar Kanungo and Dr Alino Sumi, and Nagaland Textiles – Threads That Weave Stories, authored by Sentila T. Yanger.
Addressing the gathering, Yadav said the publications brought Naga cultural heritage and knowledge traditions into academic and public focus. He said indigenous knowledge should be recognised as knowledge developed through observation, experience, experimentation and adaptation, rather than merely as folklore.
Referring to Nagas: The Knowledge Practitioners, he highlighted traditional knowledge relating to agriculture, crafts, forests, natural resources, rituals and material culture. He said preserving Naga heritage should include preserving the knowledge associated with cultural objects and practices.
On Naga textiles, the Governor said shawls carried identity, memory, social meaning and artistic expression, with colours, motifs and weaving techniques reflecting knowledge developed across communities.
Yadav stressed the importance of documenting indigenous knowledge with due recognition of community identity, ownership, dignity and intellectual rights. He also said traditional knowledge could contribute to addressing contemporary concerns including climate change, biodiversity conservation, sustainable agriculture and responsible use of natural resources.
He encouraged educational institutions and young scholars to undertake research and village-level documentation of Naga languages, oral traditions, architecture, agriculture, traditional medicine, music, textiles, craftsmanship and customary institutions before such knowledge is lost.
NEZCC Director Alobo Naga said the publications contributed to documenting and preserving Naga traditions, craftsmanship and cultural narratives.
The authors also addressed the gathering. Cultural presentations by representatives of the Lotha and Ao tribes and Nagaland Bhojpuri Samaj formed part of the programme.
