"Sky is my Father: A Naga Village Remembered"- The socio-cultural fabric of the Anagami Naga Community
"Sky is my father, Earth is my mother, I believe in Kepenoupfu." (Kire, 2018)
The
Hindu Prize winning author, Easterine Kire, also known as Easterine Iralu,
stands as a significant figure in the literary landscape of Nagaland, being the
first Naga novelist to write in English. According to Prof Emeritus Paul
Pimomo, Kire is a master of the unadorned language that moves because of the
power of its evocative simplicity. Among her writings "Sky is my Father:
A Naga village Remembered" is one of the significant work which is
based on the colonial history and cultural richness of the Indigenous people of
Nagaland. In other words, through this historical novel, Kire represents the
marginalized history of the people of Nagaland and their Indigenous cultural
identity to the global readers.
The
novel and its theme
This
novel, originally published as "Naga Village Remembered: A Novel"
in 2003, and later revised as "Sky is my father: A Naga village
remembered" in 2018, explores the lives of the Naga indigenous people,
set against the backdrop of a lush mountain landscape. It portrays the Naga
tribesmen's struggle against British coercion into bonded labor, with the
Angami tribe warriors bravely resisting. This narrative epitomizes their
collective effort to protect their ancestral land from British encroachment.
The novel also explores the broader impact of British colonization, including
deforestation and the disruption of indigenous habitats and native plant
species.
The
novel is structurally segmented into two parts, where the first part explores
the intricacies of lost cultural heritage and traditional practices integral to
the Naga communities' cultural identity. It emphasizes the patriarchal
structure of Naga society and the marginalization of women. The latter part
navigates colonial experiences, depicting political and cultural shifts,
transforming the text into a poignant postcolonial narrative. It vividly
portrays the pervasive influence of colonial dominance, consequences of
religious conversion, and erosion of indigenous cultural ethos.
As
the first Naga novel in English, it meticulously documents the cultural and
social fabric of the Angami Naga community amidst colonialism. Drawing from
Naga history, it eloquently portrays the causes and consequences of the Battle
of Khonoma, highlighting how colonial intrusion disrupts the Angami Naga
people's connection to their land and erodes their cultural heritage under the
influence of Christianity. Through artistic prowess, the author encapsulates
Nagaland's socio-political landscape during the colonial era, merging
historical fact with fictional storytelling.
The
socio-cultural fabric of the Angami Naga Community as depicted in the novel
In
"Sky is my Father: A Naga Village Remembered", the
socio-cultural fabric of the Angami Naga community is richly depicted, offering
insights into their traditions, customs, and societal structure. Kire portrays
the intricate layers of Naga society, emphasizing the importance of communal
bonds, oral traditions, and spiritual practices.
Patriarchal Norms and Gender
Identity in Naga Culture
One aspect highlighted in the novel is the patriarchal
structure of Naga society, where male dominance is prevalent, and women are
often marginalized to subservient roles. Through various characters and
narratives, Kire explores the complexities of gender dynamics within the
community, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in asserting their
agency and identity.
“Talk in the thehou, the community house,
often centered round what was called man’s talk. No women were allowed to come
to the thehou or enter the male dormitories..”
(Kire, 2018, 7)
Patriarchy
permeates the Naga community, as depicted in the novel through the role and
function of male dormitories. These dormitories serve as crucial social and
cultural hubs, primarily focusing on molding boys into upstanding tribe members
by instilling societal norms and ethical values. The emphasis on teaching
essential skills such as hunting, craftsmanship, and house construction within
these spaces underscores a clear gender divide, prioritizing activities
traditionally associated with masculinity for male youth. The exclusion of
women from significant gatherings, like those at the Thehou, where discussions
revolve around themes deemed masculine, further solidifies this patriarchal
mindset. These discussions, often centered on reminiscing about hunts and
battles, reinforce ideals of masculinity, creating an environment where only
those deemed to possess a "man's heart" are permitted participation,
thus perpetuating gender hierarchy. Moreover, the sense of security and strong
communal bond fostered within these dormitories reinforces patriarchal
structures by promoting male camaraderie and solidarity. Ultimately, the
portrayal of male dormitories in the novel underscores how patriarchal norms
dictate social dynamics and cultural traditions within the Naga community,
resulting in the marginalization of women and the reinforcement of traditional
gender roles.
The
Naga Community, rooted in nature
In
"Sky is My Father," Easterine Kire explores the profound bond
between the Naga tribe and nature through their traditional customs, including
agricultural techniques and ceremonies honoring the land. Kire's vivid
descriptions of rituals and beliefs immerse readers in scenes like the
tiger-hunting ceremony, where young warrior Vilau receives guidance from elders
following his first successful hunt. Through her writing, Kire emphasizes the
importance of nurturing a harmonious coexistence with the environment and
underscores the significance of preserving indigenous cultures for the greater
good of humanity. The novel depicts this relationship as deeply intertwined and
symbiotic, with the lush mountain landscape serving as more than just a
backdrop; it's a vital part of the Naga cultural identity and way of life.
Despite facing external pressures from colonial forces and experiencing
internal conflicts, the Naga people maintain a profound connection to their
land and draw strength from its beauty and bounty. Through vivid descriptions
and poetic imagery, Easterine Kire highlights how the Naga community's
relationship with nature is not just practical but also deeply spiritual and
emotional, underscoring the importance of preserving the natural environment as
a vital aspect of safeguarding the Naga cultural heritage and identity.
“When he reached his house, he
continued the ritual by making a new fire from split bamboo. The sparks from
the friction of the split bamboo against a piece of wood grew into a little
flame…when the fire was made, Vilau killed a pig and chopped off the right leg
to give the tech then-u (the man who injures the tiger at a tiger hunt)… then
he would fetch water again in order to complete the tiger killing rituals.” (Kire, 2018, 16-17)
This
excerpt portrays the importance of ritual and ceremony in the Naga culture,
particularly in activities such as hunting, which are essential for survival
and hold deep cultural significance. Although it is their ritual and thus form
their cultural identity, we should not entertain such type of rituals which
directly impacts our earth's health. Because, this ritualistic use of wood and
bamboo for fire-making contributes to the depletion of these resources, albeit
to a limited extent, and the killing of a pig as part of the ritual has a
direct impact on the local ecosystem.
However,
while the impact of this ritual on nature may be relatively small in isolation,
when considered alongside other human activities and rituals, it contributes to
the broader human-nature relationship within the Naga community. This
relationship is characterized by a blend of reverence, resource utilization,
and social cohesion, all of which play a role in shaping the interaction
between the Naga people and their natural environment.
Social
cohesion and resilience of the Angami Naga people
The
social cohesion and resilience of the Naga community are also evident
throughout the novel, particularly in their collective efforts to resist
external pressures and preserve their cultural heritage. Whether facing
colonial intrusion or internal conflicts, the Angami Naga people demonstrate a
strong sense of solidarity and identity, rooted in their shared history and
traditions.
The
novel meticulously documents the cultural and social fabric of the Angami Naga
community amidst the backdrop of colonialism. Drawing from Naga history, Kire
eloquently portrays the causes and consequences of the renowned Battle of
Khonoma, a clash between British forces and the resilient village of Khonoma.
Spanning the years from 1832 to 1900, the novel vividly depicts how colonial
intrusion disrupts the Angami Naga people's intrinsic connection to their land.
Furthermore, it expresses the erosion of their cultural heritage under the
pervasive influence of Christianity, perceived as a symbol of modernity.
Through her artistic prowess, Kire encapsulates the socio-political landscape
of Nagaland during the colonial era, crafting a compelling narrative that
seamlessly merges historical fact with fictional storytelling.
Societal
taboos and life of the Angami Nagas
“No, no mourning for a lashu
death, it is taboo..The strictest of taboos was upon the lashu death. No
mourning of the dead.” (Kire, 2018, 6)
These
lines from the novel shows how important to follow the taboos of the society
for the people of the Khonoma village is. In the death of Kovi's wife, Kovi
could not express his grief as his wife died with the delivery of a baby and
dead women are denied funeral since it is a strict taboo being followed in
their village. As mentioned in the novel, “If you break the taboos, you
break yourself….If you did not heed the taboos, you could live on unharmed for
some years, but the day would soon come when the earth would open up to receive
you before your time. And then, when that day struck, you went without the
compassion of the village.” (Kire, 2018, 14-15) we can understand that the people of Khonoma
are considers observing the taboos as a part of life. The violation of taboos
relates to the death of the individual and they do not receive compassion from
the villagers.
But
the fact is, some taboos are just meaningless and makes life harder, although
through following such taboos, the people take responsibility to guard their
village and to earn great names for the village.
The
historical aspect of the novel "Sky is my father: A Naga village
remembered"
The
novel "Sky is my Father: A Naga Village Remembered" can be classified
as a historical novel due to its exploration of historical events, cultural
practices, and societal norms within the context of the Naga community's
history, although it straddles history and society on the one hand and folklore
and myth on the other. Kire meticulously weaves together historical facts with
fictional storytelling to provide readers with a vivid portrayal of life in a
Naga village during the colonial era.
Throughout
the novel, Kire explores various historical events, such as the Battle of
Khonoma and the impact of British colonization on the Naga people. She also
examines the socio-cultural fabric of the Naga community, depicting their
traditional customs, spiritual beliefs, and struggles against external
pressures.
Thus,
"Sky is my Father: A Naga Village Remembered" effectively
captures the historical context and cultural richness of the Naga community,
while also exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the enduring bond
between humanity and nature.
Justification
to the title of the novel
Kire successfully
justifies the title of the novel by incorporating the theme of ancestral heritage
and the connection between the Naga community and nature. The title "Sky
is my Father" reflects the deep-rooted bond between the Naga people and
the natural world, emphasizing their reverence for nature and the spiritual significance
it holds in their lives. Through vivid descriptions of the lush mountain landscape
and rituals honoring the land, Kire highlights the intimate relationship between
the Naga community and their environment.
The
novel from the general reader's perspective and scope for improvement
Archana Gita Saikia