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Dimapur VOL. VIII ISSUE 333
The Morung Express “
www.morungexpress.com
Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value
‘Anti-communal violence bill not a vote-catching gimmick’ [ PAGE 08]
World bows in respect to Mandela
Hornbill Festival 2013
By Sandemo Ngullie
Ahh! Most memorable part of the festival.
5-day State mourning declared in Nagaland No official entertainment during this period Kohima, December 6 (DiPr): The Government of Nagaland has declared five days of state mourning from December 6 to 10 as a mark of respect towards Dr. Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa and Bharat Ratna awardee, who passed away on December 5. During the state of mourning the National Flag will be flown at half mast. Throughout the State of Nagaland, along with the rest of the country, there will be no official entertainment during this period.
One found dead in Tsg
Tuensang, December 6 (mexn): Tuensang Police on December 6 recovered one dead body from a forested area near the Tuensang Town Petrol Pump. Tuensang Police informed that the dead body had a gunshot wound to the chest. According to police, the deceased has been identified as Raza Peyu Changsipong (35), “who is reported to be from NNC (Non Accordist).”
‘Run for Peace – 2013’ [ PAGE 05]
Johannesburg, December 6 (aP): Nelson Mandela was a master of forgiveness. South Africa’s first black president spent nearly a third of his life as a prisoner of apartheid, yet he sought to win over its defeated guardians in a relatively peaceful transition of power that inspired the world. As head of state, the former boxer, lawyer and inmate lunched with the prosecutor who argued successfully for his incarceration. He sang the apartheidera Afrikaans anthem at his inauguration and traveled hundreds of miles to have tea with the widow of the prime minister in power at the time he was sent to prison. It was this generosity of spirit that made Mandela, who died Thursday at the age of 95, a global symbol of sacrifice and reconciliation in a world often jarred by conflict and division. Mandela’s death has deprived the world of a colossus of the 20th century who projected astonishing grace, resolve and good humor. South African President Jacob Zuma said, “We’ve lost our greatest son. Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.” In the 1950s, Mandela sought universal rights through peaceful means but was sentenced to life
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KolKaTa, December 6 (ians): Observing that public development and welfare transcend political barriers, President Pranab Mukherjee Friday warned against competitive politics slowing down the progress of states or enhancing the suffering of the people. “Individual legislators as members of different political parties would be guided by their party policies. But competitive politics should not result in slowing down the progress of the state or enhancing the suffering of its people,” he said. “Most issues of development and public welfare transcend political barriers,” he said, in his address at the valedictory ceremony of the platinum jubilee celebrations of the West Bengal legislative assembly.
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UN calls Mandela ‘a giant for justice’
uniTeD naTions, December 6 (aP): U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says Nelson Mandela was “a giant for justice” whose “selfless struggle for human dignity, equality and freedom” inspired many people around the world. “No one did more in our time to advance the values and aspirations of the United Nations,” Ban told reporters soon after Mandela’s death was announced. Ban recalled, “When I thanked him for his life’s work, he insisted the credit belonged to others,” Ban said. “I will never forget his selflessness and deep sense of shared purpose.” The U.N. Security Council interrupted a meeting on the tribunals for former Yugoslavia and Rwanda and stood for a minute in silent tribute to Mandela. Argentina’s U.N. Ambassador Maria Cristina Perceval This file photo from 1994 shows Nelson Mandela. Mandela, the former South African president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate who waged a long and ultimately victorious struggle against apartheid, died on Thurs- called Mandela “a man who day, December 5. He was 95. (AP Photo) gave hope to the entire world.” imprisonment in 1964 for leading a campaign of sabotage against the government. The speech he gave during that trial outlined his vision and resolve. “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society
in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” He was confined to the harsh Robben Island prison near Cape Town for most of his time behind bars, then
moved to jails on the mainland. When he went free after 27 years, he raised his right fist in triumph, and in his autobiography, “Long Walk to Freedom,” he would write: “As I finally walked through those gates ... I felt — even at the age of seventyone — that my life was beginning anew.”
South Africa’s white rulers had portrayed him as the spearhead of a communist revolution and insisted that black majority rule would usher in bloody chaos. Thousands died in factional fighting in the run-up to democratic elections in 1994. But voting day, when long lines of voters waited patiently to
“Men such as Mandela resisted and taught us to resist fear ... to resist oblivion,” she said. The Security Council said in a statement later that “Mandela will forever be remembered as someone who gave up so much of his life in the struggle for freedom, so that millions could have a brighter future.” The U.N. General Assembly in 2009 adopted a resolution declaring Nelson Mandela International Day, the first ever international day in honor of an individual. It is celebrated every year on July 18, his birthday. “The members of the Security Council consider this to be a reflection of the magnitude of Nelson Mandela’s contribution to freedom and justice,” the council said. “Nelson Mandela day is a celebration of the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, and the ability to make an impact, just as Nelson Mandela did himself.”
cast ballots, passed peacefully, as did Mandela’s inauguration as president “Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world,” the new president said.
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela was born on July 18, 1918, the son of a tribal chief in Transkei, a Xhosa homeland that later became one of the “Bantustans” set up as independent republics by the apartheid regime to cement the separation of whites and blacks. Related news on page 11
December 9 bandh: AYO, ASU urge NPCC to reconsider Hornbill festival: Commercially Yours! occurrences of such ill trends in our society.” “Towards this effort we definitely would need the unflinching cooperation, support and solidarity of each and every individual, groups and organizations,” it added. However, in view of the festive season, the number of schools and colleges in midst of their final examinations and classes, the ongoing Hornbill Festival and the large number of domestic and international tourists in the state, particularly in Kohima; the letter stated that the proposed bandh “is not deemed convenient and appropriate.” As such, it urged the NPCC to reconsider the bandh “in the interest and wellbeing of our society, particularly the citizens and dwellers of Kohima” and “to avoid all undue hassles
and untoward incidents that might arise out of the proposed bandh if not reconsidered.”
Pusa requests for deferment of bandh All India Congress Committee member and former NPCC President, KV Pusa has requested the NPCC to defer its scheduled 12 hr bandh in Kohima on December 9. A press note from the former NPCC President appreciated what he termed as the “legally correct expression of democratic protests in various forms by the Congress party for the acts which are detrimental to the interest of the Naga people.” However, he urged the NPCC to defer Naga men with muskets are seen performing an indigenous the proposed bandh, in view of the fes- dance during the Hornbill Festival. Photo by Kedimen Kichu tivities and impending Christmas and Naro Longchar Hornbill festival is synNew Year celebrations. onymous with Kisama, Kohima | December 6 which has been fashioned There is no doubt that Horn- into a miniature supposbill Festival has done excep- edly ‘Naga village’ with the tionally well as far as its tour- intent to provide visitors a ism aspects are concerned. ‘Naga village experience,’ what they learn in colleges to It has in its own capacity where they can visit the varthe churches; disciples who placed Nagaland on the cov- ious morungs of all the Naga are future music leaders and eted map of ‘tourist destina- tribes and taste their cuiwho can teach and impart tion’ with domestic as well as sines. If anything, Kisama their musical training. international tourists pour- is but a distorted attempt She feels that her ulti- ing in from all around the to romanticize our past culmate goal is to not just to globe. And while we are all ture that is no longer with us improve the musicality but thrilled with the prospect of or practiced today. to bring theology and mu- showcasing and sharing our In one way, Kisama sic together. She asserts ethnic culture, we should can be compared to the that music in churches also introspect and ponder “reserves” where Native without spirituality and on whether the festival is American communities are Members of Trinity Theological College, who will be performing with three other theologisound theology is dead and truly living up to its tagline, made to reside, with brocal colleges at the Dimapur Ao Baptist Church on December 8. affirms that the churches ‘culturally yours,’ mean- ken communities and famhave to take theology of the while serving as an authen- ilies surrounded by grave Chan, an international Theology’ published by InChoirs from 4 choral consultant, con- tervarsity Press in Amer- word in the song more im- tic reflection of the rich Naga social and economic conditheological colleges ductor, and voice teacher. ica, informed a press note. portantly than the music culture. The chief objective tion. Ironically, in the midst Currently, she is the choir Ever since their first itself. She insists this as the of hornbill festival is to pro- of all that, Native American to perform on director and voice teacher visit, the husband – wife core of church music and mote appreciation of the rich cultural attires and presenDecember 8 at Trinity Theological Col- duo have been visiting Na- desires to share this with Naga culture. Has the cultur- tations is all the rage and in DimaPur, December lege, Singapore. She, along galand every year, impart- the theological colleges al aspect being sidelined by popular demand. In the Naga context too, 6 (mexn): On December 8, with her husband Rev Dr ing theological and musical and churches in Nagaland. the commercialization of the The concert aims to entire festival? we could affirm the Hornbill choirs from four theological Simon Chan, have been vis- training to theological colOne of the key compo- Festival as a revival of Naga colleges: Trinity Theologi- iting theological colleges in leges in Nagaland as well as promote excellence in chocal College (TTC) Dimapur, Nagaland every year since neighboring states. Chan ral singing in Nagaland nents of tourism is com- culture but it might well be Oriental Theological Col- 1991, with the goal to pro- notes that the people of Na- churches; promote greater mercialization, which takes that it is the reflection of a lege (OTS) Dimapur, Clark mote excellence in choral galand have immense mu- cooperation among theo- the form of entertainment culture that is in crisis and Theological College (CTC) singing, and also to train sical gift and potential. It is logical institutions and to (cultural shows, music slowly fading. In spite of all Mokokchung, and Eastern theological students musi- also the hospitality and the inspire young people to festivals), services/com- the colorful cultural show warm-heartedness of the consider music study as an fort (eatery, cuisines, local that is put on, coupled with Theological College (ETC) cally. The speaker for the con- people that makes us feel essential part of their min- beer). With so much going the ingenious idea of creatJorhat, Assam, will stage a concert at Dimapur Ao cert, Rev. Dr. Simon Chan is like a family among the Na- isterial training. The con- on simultaneously, it ap- ing a miniature ‘Naga vilcert is open to all, with the pears that the entire festi- lage’, it still does not even Baptist Church (DABA) un- Professor of Systematic gas, she adds. The main purpose of purpose of reaching out to val has been blown out of come close to comparison der the theme ‘Proclaiming Theology at Trinity Theological College in Singa- their visits to theological col- everyone this advent sea- proportion in the process nor does it compensate for Christ in Advent.’ The choirs will be con- pore. He has written many leges in Nagaland is to make son, proclaiming the birth diminishing its true intent, the rich Naga culture. “We wished there were the cultural aspect. ducted by Mrs. Simon books including ‘Spiritual disciples, who will carry of Christ through music.
Bringing theology and music together
Competitive politics is slowing progress
–Albert Einstein
fAreWell nelson MAnDelA
Kohima, December 6 (mexn): The Angami Youth Organization (AYO) and the Angami Students’ Union (ASU) have written to the President of the Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee urging him to “reconsider” the proposed 12 hour Kohima bandh on December 9. The joint letter issued by the AYO President, Medo Yhokha and ASU President, Zakie Khate acknowledged the effort of the NPCC “in registering protest against corruption and other vices prevalent in our society, particularly against the flaws and illegalities under public offices and establishments.” It asserted that the AYO and the ASU share the same concerns and Kohima, December informed that they are “relentlessly 6 (mexn): The Nagaland initiating various measures to contain Secretariat Service Associa- and arrest the rampant prevalence and tion (NSSA) has informed that the ongoing pen down/ cease work agitation from December 2 to December 7 will continue from December 9 to December 13. This was decided by the Action Committee in its meeting at the NSSA Office, on December 6, informed a press note from the NSSA.
NSSA agitation to continue from Dec 9
Saturday, December 7, 2013 12 pages Rs. 4
It was a bad performance and it started with bowling: MS Dhoni
[ PAGE 02]
[ PAGE 11]
reflections
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more cultural sports and events; we wanted to witness spear throw, bow hunts and even simple everyday activities like rice pounding, locals working in the paddy fields etc,” says a couple from Canada. Nagaland and its cultural essence live in its villages, woven intricately into the lives of the village folks and their everyday lifestyle. What Nagas are and what Nagas have is a way of life, one cannot possibly try to mimic all that in a set environment or pass off hornbill festival as the embodiment of Naga culture. A tourist from Austria remarked that the Hornbill Festival is “too touristic.” Sadly, perhaps Nagas have become nothing less than an entertainment oriented society in this charade of image building. From a critical cultural and social perspective, the Hornbill Festival is an ultimate reflection of a shallow and superficial Naga civilization. With the enormity of resources and manpower that is pooled annually into celebrating the hornbill festival, is the outcome justified? How is it helping Nagaland state’s economy or can a section of people speak for the entire population? These cultural festivals do not reflect the realities of Naga people today with poverty stricken areas, malnourished children, fast emerging class distinction, unemployment etc. Have Nagas simply reduced ourselves to mere objects of entertainment where we put on a glittering show? At the end of the day, these ‘shows’ and cultural entertainments will be all that’s left of the brave warriors of the hills, the ‘mighty Nagas’, at the cost of our dignity and rich cultural diversity.
This piece is the second in a series of articles on the discourse around and on the Hornbill Festival, with the view to initiate reflection and dialogue.
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