Culture is not merely something we wear, display or perform for an audience. It is the inheritance of a people, shaped by generations of shared history, customs, beliefs and values. For the Nagas, traditional attire, ornaments, dances, songs and customary practices carry meanings that go far beyond their outward appearance. They represent who we are, where we come from and the values that bind our communities.
There is nothing wrong with earning a livelihood through cultural products or showcasing Naga heritage to the outside world. Our artisans, weavers, musicians and cultural practitioners deserve recognition and economic opportunities. Tourism and cultural industries can also help sustain traditional skills. The problem begins when commercial interests take precedence over cultural meaning.
We are increasingly at risk of treating culture as a product that can be altered, repackaged and sold according to market demand. Traditional designs are modified without regard for their customary significance. Attire associated with particular gender, age or social standing is treated as a fashion accessory. Cultural performances are sometimes reduced to entertainment, detached from the occasions and values that gave them meaning.
Culture cannot survive on visibility alone. A tradition displayed on a stage but no longer respected in everyday life is gradually reduced to a spectacle. Nor should every cultural symbol become available for unrestricted commercial use simply because it attracts attention or generates income.
Naga communities must be able to decide how their cultural heritage is represented, used and protected. Community institutions and customary bodies have an important role in setting standards, preventing misuse and ensuring that commercial activities do not distort inherited traditions.
Economic opportunity should not come at the cost of cultural integrity. We can promote our culture without surrendering its meaning to the marketplace. We can welcome the world without turning everything that defines us into merchandise.
Our culture is our inheritance, not a commodity. We have a responsibility to pass it on with its meaning and dignity intact, not merely its marketable appearance.