‘Vannyaü: Telling Tales’ by M Chingong Phom launched
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 18
In a celebration of literature, the book titled ‘Vannyaü: Telling Tales’ authored by M Chingong Phom was launched here in Dimapur on November 18. The author has served as the Development Secretary and Literature Secretary at Phom Baptist Christian Association, Longleng.
“Storytellers are leaving,” Chingong cited in her address during the launch of her debut book. “The elders really want to tell their stories but it is very unfortunate that there is nobody to listen to them. Young people are very busy and the elderly people are very lonely. They (elderly people) are leaving one after the other silently, taking away all the stories with them,” she observed.
Sharing the inspiration behind her first book, Chingong said, through the collection of 70 poems, she aspires to tell some of these stories, not just to keep record of the rich Naga heritage, but also to encourage the Naga people to move away from being identified as just head-hunters.
“All that we know and present to the world today is that we are head-hunters and we proudly accept that,” she noted. “But there is more to this, we are more than being head-hunters,” she maintained. “Our forefathers were wise… There are more wisdom stories than just head-hunting,” she reiterated.
Placing emphasis on the need to preserve the wealth of the Naga stories, songs and lullabies, Chingong discouraged improvisation of Naga culture. “Why can’t we be original and why can’t we defend our culture? Someday we will find ourselves in the middle of nowhere with no identity and no idea of our origin,” she observed. “We should stop being an entertainment to others,” she asserted.
A rich tapestry of life
Gracing the book launch, Dr A Sentiyula, Associate Professor & HoD Department of English, Dimapur Government College in her address said that the poet, M Chingong Phom, is the latest entrant to the growing body of Naga writers in English.
“This offering of 70 poems contains a rich tapestry of life – with varied themes and concepts, giving us a glimpse into the life and culture of the Phoms and the Nagas, the feelings and thoughts of the poet, and reflections on human life and nature in general,” Dr Sentiyula said.
She mentioned that book reflects a sense of deep love and pride for one’s heritage and community- including the people and nature. The usage of Phom terms introduces us to the idioms, belief systems, practices, flora and fauna, farming cycles, taboos, myths and legends, folktales, names of mountains and rivers and food. In the midst of these, she manages to highlight the human element – love, loyalty, trust, honesty, empathy, forgiveness, kindness, generosity, the divide between the rich and the poor, dangers of wrong assumptions, acceptance of one another, and celebrating one’s genetic make-up and identity.
“Another theme that features prominently is that of self-introspection and reflection,” Dr Sentiyula commented.
In conclusion, Dr Sentiyula expressed hope that Chingong will go on to fulfil her destiny as a “Phom Princess, precious in the eyes of God and her people and go on to produce many more books that will showcase her immense talent.”
Beyond the world of logic and fact
In a brief book review, Y Nuklu Phom, Founder Chairman & Team Leader, Lemsachenlok stated that in Vannyaü: Telling Tales, Chingong tries to tell stories of our wise ancestors, our rich culture that is sadly diminishing.
“When our generation loves to go forwards without a root, I think we have many things to learn from our ancestors and the rich history they have preserved for us,” Nuklu stated.
“As you journey with her, Chingong will also persuade you to stretch your imaginations beyond the world of logic and fact and imagine that you can inhabit “in between” spaces, a poetry genre that is outside of your usual wheelhouse. She evokes an emotional response and connection in the readers, interrogating yet specifying an impactful attitude of the readers,” Phom added.
Delivering the publisher’s note, Lanusangla Tzudir, Heritage Publishing House said that every Naga citizen must take ownership of our stories and have to be responsible story-tellers.
A dedicatory prayer for the book was pronounced by Rev Dr Anjo Keikung, former General Secretary, Nagaland Baptist Church Council.
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