Rendikala Subong Museum reopens to public
Mokokchung, February 17 (MTNews): Rendikala Subong Museum, located at Dilong ward, Mokokchung, which was closed for the past few years, reopened to public today with Shilula Imchen, Associate Pastor (Women), MTBA, offering a dedicatory prayer.
Atula Subong, daughter of Late Rendikala Subong, during the brief re-opening prayer service, said that the museum was first run by her mother where various traditional artefacts and collectibles of cultural value, which she collected since she got married at the age of 17, were put on display.
She said that after her mother passed away in 2006, her sister managed it till 2012 but the museum remained closed after her sister had to move out of town. “However, the need to educate young generation and to help themidentify their roots and culture, our family thought it would be only fair to re-open the museum,” she said.
Late Rendikala Subong is from Changtongya village and was born in 1925. She married Late. Supongnuklu, from Mongsenyimti village, who was a Civil Servant and worked with the Public Works Department (PWD). They were one of the first early settlers of Mokokchung town.
Late Rendikala Subong is remembered as a creative and innovative woman of vision who was also actively involved in many social and political organizations.She was one of the first ladies to form the Welfare Society, started with like minded women, The Sangtemla Kimong Society; one of the first members of Watsü Telok; Treasurer of MTABA Women’s department and also served as the Mokokchung Congress Mahila President. She started a weaving industry where she employed many ladies and is known to have designed the Government High School uniform blazer, and many other new designs for Ao women.
“My mother was a gifted lady, an innovative entrepreneur and many remarked that my mother was a women born ahead of her time”, Atula Subong added.”We are really proud of our mother for all that she has done and we want her legacy to continue and keep our tradition alive,” she further added.
Shilula Imchen, Associate Pastor (Women), MTBA, also commented on the works of Late Rendikala Subong and said that one person’s effort will help in educating the entire community. She said that the museum will be a “little corner where people will not only learn about the past but will also connect and remember their roots.”
She began collecting artefacts and ornaments of the Aos and set up a museum of her collection around early ‘70s. Her collection incorporated other tribes’ artefacts as time progressed.
After her demise, the museum closed for a few years. The daughters then decided to revive the museum in honour of their mother whose dream and vision was to preserve the rich Naga cultural heritage, with especial emphasis on the Aos. “We are grateful to all the family members who helped to set it up. I am grateful to my cousin sisters Sentisangla, Ayangla & brothet in law Tali who were the main work force behind,”Atula Subong said.
The museum exhibits various traditional attires, weapons, tools, ornaments and artefacts. It also showcases traditional weaving tools and materials among many other items. The museum will be open to visitors by appointment on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm. There will be an entrance fee of Rs. 50. The contact number is 8413940853.