Keneisenuo Solo: “Turning oral traditions into children’s books feels deeply meaningful to me”

Kohima-based illustrator speaks to MT about her role in the Forgotten Folklore Project

The Forgotten Folklore Project (TFFP) Fellowship 2024–25, launched by the Sauramandala Foundation and supported by The/Nudge Institute in collaboration with StoryWeaver by Pratham Books, concluded in Shillong on April 26. The initiative brought together writers and artists from across the Northeast to reimagine and preserve oral traditions through children’s books.

Mokokchung Times had an interview with all five fellows from Nagaland through a questionnaire who were part of this unique project. In this first interview, we feature Keneisenuo Solo, an illustrator from Kohima who is currently working with ReDimension Games. Speaking about her journey through the fellowship, she described it as “deeply meaningful.”

Keneisenuo first became involved with the Forgotten Folklore Project as a freelance illustrator for the Meghalaya edition, before joining the full-fledged fellowship this year. For the 2024–25 cycle, she illustrated two children’s books: one based on a Tangkhul saying where “a parent tries to make the child understand it,” and another centered around “the log drums of Pessao Village from Mon district.”

The creative process, she shared, involved extensive engagement with the community. “The process involved conducting field research, engaging with the local community, and staying as true as possible to the culture in order to help preserve it,” she said.

For Keneisenuo, the fellowship brought a renewed sense of respect for the oral traditions she had grown up around. “It made me realize how rich, layered, and valuable our oral traditions are and how much wisdom they carry,” she reflected. “Before, I may have taken these stories for granted, but diving deeper into them through this project gave me a new appreciation for their depth and the role they play in shaping identity and values.”

She believes that turning these oral traditions into children’s books plays a crucial role in preserving culture, especially in a state like Nagaland. “Turning oral traditions and folklore into children’s books feels deeply meaningful to me. It’s a way of preserving stories that have been passed down for generations, many of which risk being forgotten in today’s fast-changing world. For a place like Nagaland, where much of the cultural knowledge is shared orally, documenting these stories in written and visual forms helps ensure that young readers grow up with a sense of identity, history, and pride in their roots.”

The diversity of the fellowship also left a lasting impression on her. “It was inspiring to see how each person brought their own unique cultural perspective, stories, and artistic style to the table,” she said. “We learned so much from one another, not just about different traditions from across Northeast India, but also about new ways of thinking and creating.”

At the Shillong book launch event, the highlight for her was clear: “The graduation event and the unveiling of the books were the highlights for me, seeing your books in print.”

Looking ahead, Keneisenuo hopes the books she helped create will reach children in homes and classrooms across Nagaland and beyond. “I hope these books help children connect with their roots and spark pride in Naga culture. I’d love to see them read in homes and schools, keeping our stories alive. Beyond Nagaland, I hope they offer a window into our world and foster understanding and respect.”

Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I’d just like to say how grateful I am for the chance to work on this project. It deepened my connection to our culture and reminded me of the power of our stories. I hope it inspires others to listen, share, and keep our traditions alive in their own ways.”

MT