Education meets tradition: DBHSS Wokha focus on cultural awareness

July 14, 2024 9 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Wokha | July 14

To instill students on the importance of preserving their rich cultural and traditional heritage, the Don Bosco Higher Secondary School, Wokha has integrated cultural aspects into its educational system by introducing skills through arts and craft.

For this, the school religiously organises an event every year, setting aside time for both practical and theoretical aspects, with skilled staff guiding the students in weaving, basket making, mat making, and cultural dances, including cultural games.

This year, the school conducted a cultural activity for class-12 students on the theme, ‘Sustaining Traditions: Cultural Preservation’ at the school premises on July 13. The event comprised traditional shawl weaving, earring designing, bamboo plate making, and basket weaving.

Class 12 boy students learning basket weaving and bamboo plate making at the school premises on July 13. (Morung Photo)

Speaking on the occasion, Rev Fr TC Joseph, Principal, DBHSS Wokha, highlighted the importance of students not forgetting their culture. He noted that the Lotha people are known for their rich cultural heritage through indigenous games, songs, dances, and skills based on traditions. This inspired the school to help students learn about their culture and the legacies handed down by their forefathers.

Fr Joseph outlined that each year the school focuses on different cultural aspects. Last year, it conducted activities related to agriculture, such as the planting and sustenance of seeds. He stressed that there are many varieties of rice in the region, but the number of indigenous varieties is declining due to reliance on public supply systems importing rice. He warned that this trend risks the loss of tastier and healthier indigenous varieties. To combat this, the school introduced cultural agricultural practices, encouraging students to preserve these rice varieties and other agricultural produce.

While emphasising that culture is intrinsic to one’s identity, influencing every aspect of life, he encouraged recognising and incorporating cultural values into systems like education and public administration. He advocated for equipping each generation with a strong cultural background, knowing their language, and encouraged Lotha children to take up Lotha as a second language. He reminded that sustaining the language requires writing stories, dramas, and novels in the local dialect.

He also mentioned that the school invites local artisans and important community members during assemblies and cultural events. He appreciated that organizations and groups like the LSU, the Lotha cultural group, and linguistic groups actively conduct cultural events and competitions at school, supported by local agencies. He cautioned against losing cultural identity due to Western education and the imitation of different cultures, which could erode the values of one’s own culture.

Language teacher Marcus Lotha, who spearheaded the event, said in this fast-changing world, students are influenced by Western and other foreign cultures, gradually making the young people forget their own culture and identity. He encouraged the students to value and to carry forward their rich cultural heritage.

On the occasion, traditional shawl weaving and earring designing were carried out by the female students, while the male students participated in basket weaving and bamboo plate making.