PCC organizes workshop on ‘Relevance of Naga traditional values’

The Department of Education at Patkai Christian College (PCC) hosted a workshop on the Relevance of Naga Traditional Values on July 31, at the college’s Bundrock Chapel Auditorium with principal Emeritus of Patkai Christian College.Rev. Dr. Tuisem A. Shishak, as the resource person.
In his keynote address, Dr. Shishak spoke passionately about the fading memory of traditional Naga practices. He expressed joy upon seeing students in traditional attire and encouraged them to uphold and carry forward these traditions.
Dr. Shishak elaborated on several key aspects of Naga culture, including the importance of festivals, agriculture, and community-based living. He highlighted how these elements shaped the resilience and unity of Naga society. Reflecting on the past, he shared how families once took children to the farm to teach them survival skills, and how villages thrived through strong communal bonds.
He also spoke about traditional spiritual beliefs, particularly animism, where sacred trees, rocks, and forests were believed to house spirits. Rituals performed with reverence were integral to this belief system. Rev. Dr. Shishak further discussed the role of morungs in certain Naga tribes, where elders would teach young men discipline, survival skills, and cultural values.
During his speech, Rev. Dr. Shishak emphasized the critical role of agriculture and community cooperation in the survival of Naga people. He pointed out that festivals, folk dances, and traditional foods were central to their way of life.
An interactive Q&A session followed the keynote address, during which a student inquired about how youth could help preserve traditional attire and dance. Rev. Dr. Shishak responded by acknowledging the deep meaning behind traditional clothing, but also noted that its authenticity is being eroded due to modern modifications.
The opening remarks were delivered by Neilevono Vupru, Dean of Social Sciences at PCC, who welcomed the gathering and emphasized the importance of values in human life. She reminded the audience that the Naga people had lived independently, sustaining their culture without external rule, and that remembering one’s roots is essential for maintaining identity.
The event, attended by students, faculty members, and guests, was designed to reawaken interest in indigenous Naga culture and wisdom, especially amidst the pressures of modernity.