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09/29/2007: "Book Review: A Rediscovery and Rebuilding of Naga Cultural Values"
Book Review: A Rediscovery and Rebuilding of Naga Cultural Values
An Analytical Approach with special Reference to Maori as a Colonised and Minority Group of People in New Zealand. Author: Inato Yekheto Shikhu
Not yet 50 years old, Nagaland exists as a self-governing state within India. In spite of its infancy as a nation, the history of Nagaland already provides political, anthropological and religious students with many issues to explore. History shows that Naga society has undergone a number of remarkable changes within a few decades, and as a result the common people are reeling under the loss of many of their traditional values and practices.
The thesis of this book is that political interference and cultural imperialism have created such significant negative effects among the populace of Nagaland that full recovery may no longer be possible. While outside nations may have intended well by their forms of governance and the introduction of Western values and technologies, the unintentional outcomes of their actions have severely impacted the Naga languages, religion, customs, the roles of genders, and cultural values.
Little research has been conducted by Nagas themselves concerning the creation of new paradigms to address these issues, particularly in regaining cultural and spiritual connective-ness with the past. This book is an excellent example of pragmatic thinking by a Naga Christian intellectual. Inato uses the case study of another exploited indigenous ethnic group to drawn lessons and methodologies that can be deployed to reclaim the Naga culture. The author has wisely avoided the common temptation to take the approach of a world view known as circular political theory (the further you go to the extreme left, the closer you come to the extreme right, and vice versa).
Inato correctly promotes the case for Naga nationals themselves to be the catalysts for change within Naga culture and spirituality. Hopefully, there are many who will accept his challenge to join him on this courageous journey of discovery and hope.
Reviewed by: Prof. Dr. John Kirkpatrick New Zealand
(Inato Shikhu is currently living in New Zealand) Publisher: Regency Publishers, New Delhi. Year: 2007. Binding: Hardbound. Pages: 271 Price: Rs. 650.00 US $ 43.00
The book is arriving soon in Naga bookstores but you can preview it at www.regency-books.com You can also buy right now at the following bookstores and websites:
Guwahati: DVS Publishers and Distributors; United Publishers and Distributors (Also known by the name of Spectrum Publications); Anwesha; Ekta Book Distributors.
Shillong: Chapala Book Store; Galaxy Book Centre.
Imphal: P.C. Jain & Co. Thangal Bazar Imphal. Delhi: Ekta Book Distributors.
www.regency-books.com/browse/newarrivals.asp
www.indianbooks.co.in/books/index.php?categoryID=52
www.alltimebooks.com/shop/index.php?productID=90156
www.dkagencies.com/doc/from/1123/to/11230/subj/REL/subjects.html
