Can we preserve something that we have lost already? Can we preserve something that no longer exists? Is it always possible to bring back the things we have lost or revive the practices we have forgotten? These are some of the questions that strike the mind while thinking about “preserving tradition and culture,” or, more specifically, the traditional Ao Naga houses and the traditional household items and their names, household practices and way of life that go along with it. While the older folks may have lived experiences, almost all of the younger generations today have no experience of seeing a real traditional Ao Naga house, let alone living in one.
In Mokokchung, in almost all of the villages, there are no longer traditional houses in existence today. With the advent of modernity and the market economy, things have changed so much so fast during the last few decades for better or for worse. Our traditional houses have made way for new and ‘modern’ houses and almost all the traditional household items have been replaced by the mass produced ones that are conveniently available in the market today. These rapid changes have also left its impact on the native language lexicon. When a traditional household item is lost or is no longer in use, its name is also forgotten and along with it the practices, knowledge, craft and usage involved is also lost forever. Local names of the parts of the house and the items used as well as the workmanship, skill and knowledge of building a house is also lost with the abandonment of the traditional houses.
With the objective of preserving and reviving traditional household items, practices and craft, as well as for educating the younger generation on the matter, a life-size Ao Naga traditional house was built at Süngkotenem Park, Mopungchuket village, Mokokchung by the village community under the initiative of Mopungchuket Community Tourism Society. The house was inaugurated by Arentemsü Lemtur, Village Council Chairman, Mopungchuket after dedicatory prayer was pronounced by Rev. Jongpong, Pastor, Mopungchuket Baptist Church, on Friday, September 2.
The house is now the only authentic traditional Ao Naga house in the village equipped with all the traditional household items and fittings and is expected to complement the village’s tourism efforts.
The villagers have also listed about a hundred traditional household items, most of which are kept in the newly built house. It was also informed that the remaining items will be added soon. The house is also like a museum in its own right, where interested individuals can visit, experience and learn about the traditional Ao Naga house.
The traditional Ao Naga house was inaugurated in a small but solemn function, without any special guests, where the representatives of the community led by the village elders shared ideas and suggestions on how to maintain the house. They also discussed how to take Mopungchuket tourism forward.