With only a couple of days left before the Hornbill Festival begins on December 1, the NDPP has appealed to the Eastern Nagaland People’s Organization (ENPO) and the Eastern Naga people to reconsider their decision to abstain from participating in the festival. This has come after the Eastern Nagaland Legislators’ Union appealed to the Eastern Nagaland Gazetted Officers’ Association to mediate with the ENPO to solve the matter amicably. It is observed that the ENPO would be doing the right thing if it reconsiders its decision and comes forward to participate in the festival. It would take a big heart to do so but the ENPO leadership possesses it. It goes without saying that ENPO has made its point clear and the rest of Nagaland has taken note of it. As stated by the ENLU and the NDPP, the Hornbill Festival is a cultural event while the ENPO’s demand for statehood is a political move. True, the cultural event can be made use of as a vehicle to convey the political agenda but boycotting or abstaining from the festival will cause irreparable damage to Naga unity. Yes, ENPO has cited reasons other than the demand for statehood for its decision to abstain from the festival. However, the issues are now intertwined, which is why the decision to abstain from the Hornbill Festival is seen as a protest in demand of statehood. The problems faced by the cultural troupes from Eastern Nagaland participating in the Hornbill Festival are understandable but that can be sorted out with the right intervention. However, to go to the extreme end of boycotting it altogether is regrettable.
Instead, will it not be a better and wiser choice to participate in the festival and demonstrate the beauty of Eastern Naga culture? Here, culture does not necessarily mean just the ethnic costumes, folk songs and dances. There is an intangible element to culture. Culture is the invisible bond which ties people together. It refers to the pattern of human activity. Cultural values and beliefs manifest themselves through our attitude, thinking, behavior and living. Our moral values represent our culture. So, participating in the festival and demonstrating that aspect of Naga culture will yield more weightage to whatever we are demanding for. The overall outcomes of cultural relations are greater connectivity, better mutual understanding, more and deeper relationships, mutually beneficial transactions and enhanced sustainable dialogue between entities. The Naga people at this juncture need reciprocal cultural relations between and among themselves now more than ever before.
The illusive solution to the Naga political problem is projected to be brought about soon. The state government, as made known by the NDPP, is not averse to the ENPO demand for statehood. It would, therefore, augur well for all Nagas to plan for the future – even after the solution to the Naga political issue and the outcome of the ENPO demand for statehood in whatever form it may be – including our personal relationships and cultural ties. Participating in the Hornbill Festival by ENPO will be a move in that direction.