Nagaland: Kezes Krotho marks silver jubilee; Shadze and Dahou unveiled

Kezes Krotho, a social group of Kohima Village, celebrated its silver jubilee with the unveiling of traditional structures Shadze and Dahou along the Kohima Village VDB road, Lerü Medi (below ISBT) reaffirming the community’s commitment to preserving Naga heritage and collective values.
Speaking as guest of honour, Kohima Village Council chairman Helievio Solo said Shadze was an important cultural heritage that had existed since the time of the forefathers. He explained that heritage was of two kinds—tangible and intangible—and described Shadze as a tangible traditional monument of the Angami people.
He said Shadze and Dahou were often constructed side by side, though not everywhere, as their locations were strategically chosen to serve as platforms from where elders made announcements, held small meetings, rested, narrated stories and interacted with the community.
Solo informed that Dahou were traditionally built using smooth, rounded stones collected from rivers. He said the monuments constructed as part of the jubilee would serve as lasting memorials for future generations.
Highlighting traditional village planning, Solo said villages were established with a cornerstone placed at the centre, a belief held by forefathers that without such a foundation a village could not grow. He lamented that Nagas had become weak in preserving collective assets, observing that while individuals took great care of personal property, public assets were often neglected. He cautioned that if such attitudes continued, traditional ways of life and community assets would be lost.
Stressing shared responsibility, Solo said anything built for the people must be cared for as one’s own. He expressed concern that many traditional assets were being lost, leading to the corrosion of Naga ways of life. He noted that the community once depended on agriculture but had since abandoned farmlands and given up farming, becoming increasingly self-centred and indifferent even towards neighbours and relatives.
Warning of social deterioration if such trends persisted, he recalled that forefathers lived and worked together, supporting one another even during times of hardship. He said elders believed Kohima Village was built atop seven lakes with seven traditional gates, which was cited as a reason for its prosperity.
Solo also emphasised the need for the community to be accommodating to guests, tolerant, considerate and to live exemplary lives. He reiterated that mutual help was a defining attribute of Naga society, adding that just as a single tree could not make a forest, a rich or successful individual alone could not make a village. He urged people to give their best for the community.
Referring to present challenges, Solo said the community stood at a crossroads, identifying illegal immigration as one of the greatest threats. He cited records indicating that illegal immigrants could outnumber the indigenous population within 25 years and called for caution in present-day dealings, urging people to think beyond immediate profit and plan for the future. He said the newly built Shadze was meant for future generations and stressed the need to consider how those generations would fare.
KVYO president Medozhazo Rutsa unveiled the jubilee souvenir and, in a short address, said the Shadze and Dahou were built by Kezes Krotho for the benefit of all people. Expressing hope that the structures would be used wisely, he said the group had grown to around 250 members and expressed confidence that it would continue to bring positive changes to the community and society. Rutsa also hoped the group would persist in its social contributions as it had done over the years. He also suggested installing plaques at the site describing the traditional uses and significance of Shadze and Dahou.
He further noted that Kezes members had been placing wreaths at the grave of A Z Phizo for many years as a mark of respect to the leader.
Sharing greetings, Vimhalie Pienyü recounted that the group began informally as friends spending time together, which gradually evolved into regular meetings and eventually the formation of Kezes Krotho. He said the group now comprised around 250 members, including spouses and children. He also informed that 10 members had passed away over the years and that leaders had paid homage to the departed members prior to the jubilee celebration.
Earlier, the programme was compered by K Daniel Solo and Sedevizo Zatsu. A dedicatory prayer was offered by Kezhakietuo Belho, associate pastor of Khedi Baptist Church. The group’s flag was hoisted by Kezes Krotho president Ruokuosietuo Whuorie. A report on the construction of the Shadze and Dahou was presented by Khrielakuolie Suohu, convenor of the organising committee.