A stage adaptation of ‘Amajok and other short stories’, by Maongienla, Assistant Professor at Fazl Ali College (FAC), Mokokchung, took center stage at Union Church, FAC Campus on 27 July, drawing attention to the often overlooked struggles of Ao women. The performance, led by students and youth members of the campus, explored themes of womanhood, marriage, and societal expectations, prompting a wave of reflection among the audience.
The book was published in 2023, which follows the life of a woman named Aonaro across nine chapters. The play adapted two significant phases of her life—from the 1970s and 1990s—capturing moments of love, loss, marital pressure, and the emotional weight of sacrificing education.
“It’s a proud moment for me,” said Maongienla, speaking to MT. “I think the young people (actors) did a wonderful job. To literally translate a work like this is not easy, but they did it with sincerity. Despite the abundance of ready-made scripts, they chose to adapt this story and that means a lot.”
Maongienla, who teaches in the Department of English, also revealed that Amajok has been incorporated into the Ao literature syllabus for the 8th semester. “The story revolves around one woman’s experience, but it holds potential for deeper exploration. One of my colleagues is currently translating it into English,” she added.
She noted how the narrative, while acknowledging certain privileges, doesn’t shy away from the internal and social struggles faced by women. “We often say Ao women are more privileged, and that’s true to some extent. But there’s still so much pressure within. This story isn’t about blaming anyone, it’s about trying to understand our society better.”
The play was the brainchild of youth pastor Imtisungkum, who noticed budding talent during a drama performance on last year’s Literary Day.
“That’s when I saw the potential in the students,” he said. “So we thought, why not turn this into a full production?”
He said the goal was to create something meaningful and thought-provoking. “These days, there are so many acting career options even in Nagaland and the Northeast. If someone from our church finds their calling through this, that’s something we’d be proud of.”
The play didn’t shy away from hard truths. Scenes tackled issues like age-gap marriages, women being pressured to marry instead of pursuing education, and the unequal burden of household responsibilities.
“There’s a lot of expectation placed on women – to take care of guests, raise children, and do all the household chores – while men are generally expected to just earn money,” Imtisungkum said.
“We wanted to deliver a message that as brothers, as men, we too can lend a hand. That’s what a partnership should be.”
Audiences found the play deeply relatable, especially in how it reflected current issues faced by women in both rural and urban settings. Despite being set decades ago, the struggles portrayed—around identity, worth, and opportunity, remain strikingly relevant.
The adaptation of Amajok by the Union Church, FAC Campus, signals more than a literary celebration, it’s a cultural moment. Through performance, the community is not only preserving Ao literature but using it as a lens to re-examine itself.