A One Day National Symposium On Naga Oral Tradition & Tribal Culture- Preserving Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Memory, and Living Traditions was organised by Research & Development Cell, Baptist College, Kohima in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre, Guwahati on 11th September, 2026
The Inaugural Session was chaired by Dr.Sentinaro, Symposium Convener, Baptist College, Kohima. Welcome remarks was delivered by Dr. Kekuchol Pusa, Principal, Baptist College Kohima. Dr. Sapam Ranabir Singh, Regional Director, IGNCA, Regional Center, Guwahati, spoke on behalf of the collaborating institution. Vipralhou Kesiezie, Chairman, Governing Body, Baptist College, Kohima gave the Inaugural Address. Keynote Address was delivered by Prof. Anil Kumar, Anthropologist and Head, Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA.
The Symposium witnessed two Technical Sessions and a Panel Discussion. The moderator for the first Technical Session was Dr. Khobu Tsolo, Asst. Prof, Dept of Sociology, BCK. Prof. Visakhonü Hibo presented her paper titled “Forests as Food Reserves: Naga Traditional Cuisine for Sustainable Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation.” Dr. Kewepfuzu Lohe, presented on “Oral Tradition and the transmission of Indigenous Ecological Knowledge and Cultural Practices with Special Reference to the Chakhesang Community.” Dr. AokumlaWalling’s paper was titled “Oral Tradition and Archaeology in Nagaland.”
The second Technical Session was moderated by Dr. Ghunato Neho, Asst. Prof, dept of English, BCK. Dr.Sophy Lasuh presented on “The politics of Naga Cloth: All wrapped up with Nowhere to Belong.” Lanukaba Imchen presented on “Preserving and Transmitting Naga Oral Traditions: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward “and Prof. Pangersenla walling delivered on “Remembering in Language: The Linguistic Dimensions of Naga Oral Traditions.”
A Panel Discussion on the topic “Living Traditions: Folk Dance, Folk Songs, Oral Narratives and Social Values in Naga Society ” was moderated by Dr. Videkhono Yhokha, Asst. Prof, Dept of Sociology, BCK. The panelists were Medoselhou Keretsű, Dr. Medongoi Rhakho, Those Kraho, Guru Sangyusang. S. Pongener.
The Valedictory Session was chaired by Dr.Kevino Nagi, Asst.Prof, Dept of Commerce, BCK. Dr. Renbemo Odyuo, Asst. Prof, Janapada Sampada Division, IGNCA, Regional Center gave the Valedictory Address.
The Symposium seeks to provide an interdisciplinary platform to exchange scholarly dialogue and community participation and explore the role of oral traditions in preserving cultural memory, identity, social values and ecological wisdom of Naga communities. The various speakers shared the need to document tangible and intangible things in preserving our traditional knowledge system and also emphasised on preservation, transmission and dissemination. While emphasising on the need for documentation, the discussion also pointed out the importance of ethical principles and research integrity. Altogether, the event witnessed an attendance of 164 participants including Guests speakers, scholars, students and faculty members.
