The Literature and Education Ministry of the Ao Baptist Arogo Mungdang (ABAM) organized a special program on “Promoting the Ao Language” for pastors from Zones 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 at Impur. The program was attended by 58 pastors representing 53 local churches.
Highlighting the influential role of pastors in guiding individuals, families and communities, the ministry stressed the importance of using the mother tongue as a key medium for effective communication. Against the backdrop of growing challenges in preserving the Ao language, the programme aimed to strengthen its proper usage within the community.
Two key topics were discussed during the session, “Uniformity of Writing the Ao Language” and “The Ao Language is the Basis of the Culture”. The sessions were addressed by I Temjen Tzüdir, Coordinator of Ao Riju, and Padma Shri awardee T. Senka Ao of Mokokchung, who spoke on the linguistic and cultural significance of the Ao language.
Dr Lanurenla, Principal of Saochang College, raised concerns over the endangered status of the Ao language and said, “The need of the hour is to ensure that our language is passed on meaningfully to future generations.”
Executive Secretary of ABAM, Rev Temsü Jamir, warned of the rapid erosion of indigenous languages, saying, “We live in a time when languages are murdered or killed. Unless we become serious about the loss of our language, we will face a time of bewilderment.” He emphasised that efforts to preserve the language must begin at home and extend to schools, institutions and community platforms.
The program reaffirmed that language remains central to cultural identity and heritage, and expressed hope that pastors would play an active role in promoting the Ao language in church and society.
