In the past our ancestors lived with pride and freedom, embracing humble lives unencumbered by external influences. Our rich culture heritage shaped by strong social and family bonds, has been preserved and passed down through generations from the time of our ancestor’s migration to our present lands. We are a self-determined people, living freely in our lands, even during the time when headhunting was part of our culture practise untouched by outside dominance and interference. With the arrival of the British and Indian colonial powers, our people have suffered under the oppressive yoke of colonialism, facing humiliation and degradation.
“I am foreigners to my own brothers and sisters and my own brothers and sisters are foreigners to me”. Colonial powers drew arbitrary boundaries, even splitting the Angh’s house at Longwa village, between two countries, so then a family members became foreigners to each other. And also the villagers of that Longwa village became foreigners to each other. On my personal visit to Noklak I learned that more than 100 villages of Khiamniungan naga villages are partitioned inside Myanmar. Our people have become foreigners in the lands that our forefathers thrived and lived in for time and immemorial. This subjugation and humiliation is immensely felt by our people travelling international checkpoints to visit their own relations across the border divide.
The Creation of Nagaland state in 1963 eventually led to further division to our people and our ancestor’s lands, on the state boundaries were drawn without considering Naga traditional territories. This has resulted in some Naga group being part of Nagaland while others remained in neighbouring states. The arbitrary boundaries have had lasting impact, like division of traditional lands, cultural and social challenges. identity and belongings. The historical contexts’ our people for self-determination in the light of our movement being divided in to different opinion and ideologies. Nagas must know what the world is going on in the present days.
In the book of Mathew 12:25-states that Jesus knew their thoughts and said -unto them “Every kingdom divided against is brought to desolation, and every city and house divided against itself shall not stand”. So for my understanding goes that so many agreements made between the government of India and the Naga people but so far any fruitful solution seems premature because we are so divided. In this context our leaders across all walks of life, should thoroughly understand how to heal the festering wounds and works towards a united future for our people. I ardently wish and appeal to the Nagas to shun away all the differences for Naga unity and bring about a peaceful settlement or solution for the Nagas. “Long Live Nagaland”.
Ahovi Sema
Former Sumi Hoho Vice President
Tuesday, August 26, 2025