Highlighting concerns over the lack of literary engagement among women, Dr Lanurenla, Principal of Sao Chang College, Tuensang, on Thursday urged Ao Naga women to take a more active role in writing and storytelling.
Speaking at the 23rd Watsü Mungdang general conference held at Mokokchung Town Hall on the topic “Kenozülu nung Yakpangsür” (Forerunners in Literature), she questioned whether society had become “too laid back” in contributing to literature and called for a renewed effort to preserve and promote indigenous voices through writing.
Presenting a statistical overview of women’s contributions within Ao Naga literature, Dr Lanurenla pointed out the noticeable underrepresentation across genres. She noted that among 17 published Ao poets, there are no women; in the field of folklore, there are none; in drama and skit, only one woman among four contributors; and in fiction writing, none among 11 contributors. In biography writing, only 3 Ao Naga women were among 33 writers.
Similarly, she highlighted that in women’s stories, out of 4 contributors, only 2 were women; in Christian literature, only 3 women contributed out of 87 writers; in general non-fiction, only three out of 25; in dictionary, grammar, and textbook contributions, only 4 out of 32; and in translation work, none among 8 contributors were Ao Naga women.
Stating that these figures reflect a critical gap in Ao Naga women’s literary participation, she asked, “Are we too laid back in writing literature?”
She also observed that most of the women writers were above the age of 50, and wondered whether the younger generation was showing sufficient interest in literary pursuits.
She said that addressing the issue would require a conscious and collective movement, and suggested that Watsü Mungdang could play a leading role by organizing seminars, conferences, inviting experts, hosting competitions, and instituting literary awards to encourage writers.
Dr Lanurenla also expressed hope that women would support the Ao Senden’s efforts to revive and preserve Ao literature through initiatives like the Ao Riju. “The Ao Riju has a vision to ensure that postgraduate and PhD studies can be pursued in Ao literature,” she said.
Stressing the urgent need for more publications, she posed a thought-provoking question to the gathering: “Are we only going to read world literature, or will we read our own Ao Naga literature? If we keep reading only world literature, we will forget our own.”
The Watsü Mungdang General Conference will continue till April 11, held under the theme, “Yakpangsür”.