Zunheboto-born, Dimapur-based writer Niboli Chophi reflects on culture, nostalgia, and her journey into children’s literature.
The Forgotten Folklore Project (TFFP) Fellowship 2024–25, an initiative 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 fellowship brought together writers and artists from across Northeast India to reimagine and preserve oral traditions through children’s literature.
Among the five fellows from Nagaland was Niboli Keziah Chophi, a first-time children’s writer who brought alive the essence of everyday Naga life through two books—Axone and Charcoal.
Introducing herself, she told Mokokchung Times, “My name is Niboli Keziah Chophi. I am basically from Zunheboto but am now settled in Dimapur.”
Niboli discovered the TFFP fellowship when a relative shared the advertisement with her. What caught her attention was the rare opportunity to combine her love for writing with the preservation of oral traditions. “I was sent the advertisement by a relative. The advertisement was something different—it was a call for writers to be part of something that would preserve our folklore. I’ve always been passionate about writing, so I didn’t hold back. I took the chance, and lucky enough, I got the spot too.”
Her contributions to the fellowship are rooted in personal and cultural memory. “The books I’ve written are Axone and Charcoal. Axone is derived from the heart of my home—the kitchen. It’s a staple in every Sumi household. I chose a food-themed book because I thought it would be fun to see the dish and its aroma come alive in a book. The preparation process of axone is usually passed down orally, and I wanted to preserve it in a written form. I hope children not only enjoy the dish but also the story.”
Her second story, Charcoal, is an ode to the past. “Charcoal is based on earlier times in Nagaland when many used charcoal to clean their teeth. I wanted to write something I was familiar with—based on nostalgia. With so many modern oral hygiene products available now, I thought young readers might get a glimpse of how times have changed. Adults might also connect with the memories.”
Despite the seemingly simple themes, writing for children came with its own set of challenges.
“I didn’t travel to distant places for reference, but my thoughts sure did. I never imagined the amount of brainstorming I would have to do. Sometimes I wished the illustrators were with me, though they were just a phone call away. Being a first-timer, balancing the illustrations with text was challenging. Sometimes the illustrations differed from the mental picture in my head. And sometimes I didn’t know how to minimize the text to do justice to the illustrations.”
For Niboli, turning oral traditions into books for children is not just important—it’s urgent.
“I feel like it’s something that should have existed since our childhood. The stories we came across as children had characters, places, and lifestyles unfamiliar to us. Things could have been different if we had our own stories in books. Fortunately, we didn’t have smartphones or the internet then, so we still heard stories. But now, with AI and internet taking over, our children are no exception. If we want our cultural identity and roots to survive, turning oral traditions and folklore into children’s books is a valuable addition to our efforts.”
Reflecting on how the fellowship shaped her own understanding of culture and heritage, she admitted: “Yes, it did. There’s this rich culture, folklore, and stories upon which I stand—and yet, I’m embarrassed to admit I didn’t pay much attention to them or took them for granted. This project was an eye-opener for me.”
The fellowship also connected her with a vibrant and diverse creative network from across the region. “Being part of such a diverse creative community was enriching. It was beautiful to see that stories bring people together—it’s like the fabric that weaves us all together.”
At the Shillong book launch, Niboli described the experience as “overwhelming.” She added, “There were also two panel discussions on:
• Building Bridges: Contextualizing early childhood education
• Designing for the System: When stories meet policy”
Looking ahead, Niboli hopes these books will be part of a larger movement to rekindle reading among younger generations. “I hope these children’s books—with all their beautiful illustrations and stories—help develop a reading culture, which I feel is not so strong right now, especially with mobile phones in our hands. I also hope readers of all age groups find something to take away from them. Illustrations speak a lot too, so I would like the readers to read them as well. I hope we all find ourselves in these books.”
Her final message is a quiet wish shared by many in Nagaland who are working to document and preserve their intangible heritage: “The books are a part of TFFP Meghalaya. Let us keep our fingers crossed that we get the project in our State too.”
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