A book titled “Bamboo and Wood Vernacular Architecture of Nagaland, India (Konyak and Sumi) Tribes”, authored by Ritu Ngapnon Varuni, was launched by Ar. Jwenga Seb, MLA, at the Konyak Community Center, Dimapur on December 8.
Sharing his thoughts on the book, Seb said that the book was not just a scholarly endeavour, but a heartfelt exploration of the rich cultural heritage and architectural wisdom of the Konyak and Sumi tribes, inviting readers to reflect on the profound relationship between architecture, identity and the environment. As an architect himself, Seb said he was always fascinated by use of bamboo and wood as building materials.
The MLA also highlighted that the book was the celebration of the living heritage of Konyak and Sumi Tribes and challenges us to look beyond the surface and to appreciate the stories embedded in every structure, every roof form, and every symbol and that it invites us to recognize the importance of sustainable design and wisdom embedded in traditional practices which are more relevant today than ever before. The author, Ritu Ngapnon Varuni, an eco-architect, is also a craft designer, creative thinking educator, writer, poet, and natural Himlayan farmer.