Christine Mehta - reporting on Naga Com
Twin Bamboo Communication Towers: Day 2, Kohima from Artefacting on Vimeo.
The Global Village’s Artefacting Kohima team has been here in Nagaland for six weeks now. We’ve met a variety of talented people, artists, designers, singers, illustrators, and photographers, and with their help and collaboration are preparing a festival on May 19. As part of the run-up to the big event and as a means of amplifying the voices and identities of the public, we’ve been carting the two seven-foot bamboo communication towers to different spots around Kohima. Curious but shy, the people of Kohima have slowly opened up over the three days in which the towers have been in action. Here’s how it works: one tower is sent to one part of the city, and the second tower to another location some distance away. Then, the crowd from one tower sends SMS text message questions to the crowd at the second tower, and the second tower sends answers back through SMS. This was a success the first day we tried it, then the second day, we brought the towers together and got all the volunteers involved to create an animated discussion near Kohima’s police headquarters and main market.
Here are a few of the questions and responses the citizens of Kohima have sent to the tower:
Nagas often say that they are a lazy people. Here’s one conversation two men had on the street in front of the towers:
“We Nagas are lazy.”
The other man responded, “We Nagas are NOT lazy. We’re only lazy compared to the West, we have only part-time jobs and we depend on our parents. We’re not lazy but we have fewer opportunities.”
Alex asked, “What is opportunity?”
The man considered that for a minute and said, “Opportunity is a platform.”
“Is this a platform? Is this an opportunity?” Alex said.
“Yes, for expression and learning,” he replied.
Nagaland is 95 percent Christian, and the majority of those Christians are Baptist. The Church is the ultimate power and influence over people’s lives, posing a great positive influence, but also seemingly insurmountable challenges. A hindustani man, reflective of a population segment growing in Nagaland, responded to the all-consuming religious practice in Nagaland,
“We are together through God not religion.“
Just after this, another man asked “Why do churches in Nagaland honor only the rich?” Here are the answers set forth:
- “All Church officials are corrupt.”
- “Let the Church answer, for they also indulge in corruption.”
- “Because they need money!’
- “Because the Church and state are one, and the state is corrupt.”
Finally we asked, “What makes someone Naga?” Nagaland’s urban areas are undergoing rapid modernization and the younger generation may resemble a young American or Korean more than their tribal heritage or roots. One young woman answered:
“When everyone comes together as one, everyone is a Naga, everyone is a Westerner and everyone is one in the eye of God.”
- The Bamboo Communication Towers will continue to travel around Kohima and its surrounding villages, opening up dialogue, stimulating expression and connecting people through their commonalities and differences. On May 23, the words and expressions emitted by the public will be turned into an art form and exhibited to the public in the Artefacting festival at the WWII Tank festival site before being turned into a permanent mural.
Photos by Alex White Mazzarella & Christine Mehta
Mokokchung is home to the Ao Nagas and yet another picuuresqte town in Nagaland. Mokokchung is simply beautiful and exquisite. And there are a lot of interesting places esp. villages to visit in and around Mokokchung that will simply amuse an eager traveler. Mokokchung reverberates of the erstwhile tradition of the great Naga hospitality and the Aos are known for their courtesy and welcoming nature, and will simply pamper you. It is an amazing experience for weary travelers and you will feel blessed soaking up the age old customs and the traditions of the Ao Nagas and the great essence of hospitality. The Ao villages around the town offer great insight into the rich culture and heritage of Ao Nagas and the beautiful landscape and legendary springs will simply take your breath away. These places to visit in Mokokchung will simply captivate you with the exquisite beauty and heartwarming hospitality and this beautiful town will make you want to come back for more.
Hello Auth. Thank you for your comment. Some of our local team was actually from Mokukchng, and we had a team member who was able to experience the hospitality you eagerly speak of. We hope to have the opportunity to take some of our international team members to Mokokchung in the future for meaningful creative interactions like the communication tower forums we initiated as a means of cradling and stimulating discourse and insight. thank you!