The 2-Day Language Convention of Naga Languages was held from 25 to 26 November 2024 at Ura Academy, Kohima, Nagaland. The event was organized by the Department of Tenyidie, Centre for Tribal Language Studies, and the Department of Linguistics, Nagaland University, in collaboration with the Sahitya Akademi (National Academy of Letters). It was co-sponsored by the Department of Art & Culture, Government of Nagaland, and the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
Five sessions were held over the course of the two days. The first session, chaired by Dr Petekhrienuo Sorhie, Head of the Department of Tenyidie, featured representatives from the Konyak, Phom, and Khiamniungan tribes, who shared their folktales, poems, and proverbs. The second session, chaired by Dr Yanbeni Yanthan, Assistant Professor at CNTLS, featured presentations from six tribes: Chang, Yimkhiung, Tikhir, Sangtam, Ao, Lotha, Sema, and Pochury. These groups showcased their folktales, poems, proverbs, idioms, and lullabies in their respective languages, with some time dedicated to discussing orthography.
The third session, held on the second day and chaired by Dr Khriivolii, Assistant Professor in the Department of Tenyidie, focused on presentations from the Nzonkhwe and Nthenyi tribes, who shared their stories, poems, and folklore. In the fourth session, chaired by Dr Metuo Liezietsu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Tenyidie, representatives from the Angami and Chakesang tribes (Chokri and Khezha) presented folktales, legends, and poems.
The fifth session, chaired by Dr Kethokhrienuo Belho, Assistant Professor in the Department of Tenyidie, featured presentations from the Zeme, Liangmai, and Kuki tribes, who shared their respective poems, folklore, and stories. At the conclusion of the sessions on both days, time was allocated for discussions on issues related to orthography.
The valedictory session, chaired by Dr Laishram Bijenkumar Singh, Assistant Professor at CNTLS, featured feedback from participants, all of which were overwhelmingly positive. Attendees expressed their appreciation for the convention, noting that it had inspired them to reassess the status and significance of their mother tongue, as well as the importance of safeguarding and promoting it.
In his address, Dr N Suresh Babu commended both the organizers and participants for uniting in the effort to preserve their native languages. He emphasized the importance of involving youth in future language conventions to underscore the value of their linguistic heritage. Dr Babu also highlighted the necessity of digitizing languages to facilitate their growth and adaptation in the modern world. The program concluded with a vote of thanks from Dr Mimi Kevichiisa Ezung, Associate Professor in the Department of Tenyidie.