In a bid to empower educated but unemployed youths and promote self-sustainability, Watsü Mungdang is set to organize a Pottery & Bamboo Craft Workshop as the inaugural event for its anticipated ‘School of Culture’ initiative. The workshop is scheduled to take place on 22 and 23 September at the Women Resource Centre, located near ITI in Marepkong Ward, Mokokchung.
The School of Culture, a project adopted as a resolution during the Watsü Mungdang conference in 2021, is administered by a committee of seven members. This initiative aims to create an all-encompassing educational institution with a primary focus on preserving and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the Ao Naga while offering a comprehensive and immersive learning experience.
The key objectives of the School of Culture encompass cultural preservation, character development, community engagement, and the provision of necessary infrastructure and facilities. To achieve these objectives, a diverse array of cultural subjects and activities will be offered, including the teaching of the Ao language, traditional music, folk dances, traditional attire, oral history, indigenous medicine, arts and crafts, traditional games, cultural festivals, food and culinary traditions, environmental conservation, cultural excursions, traditional agriculture, community service, guest lectures, cultural exchange programs, literature and poetry, archival documentation, traditional leadership and governance, and cultural performances and exhibitions.
Aimed at inclusivity and recognizing the employment challenges faced by both genders, the School of Culture has expanded its scope to welcome both male and female students.
Furthermore, as part of its commitment to the School of Culture, Watsü Mungdang will fully fund this educational endeavor. To kick start the program, a Pottery & Bamboo Craft Workshop will be conducted by qualified resource persons, benefiting a group of 20 young individuals.
The Watsü Mungdang has also shared plans to establish a museum and a library in the near future, as part of the School of Culture initiative with the aim of preserving the rich cultural heritage of the Ao Nagas.