Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio stressed on preserving and promoting the unique culture and traditions of Nagas, as these reflected and shaped “our values and beliefs”, besides defining the unique identity of the Nagas.
Sharing his concern over imitation of Western culture by the youth, the chief minister called for keeping alive the rich culture and traditions of the Nagas by teaching the young folk songs and dances.
Speaking at the unveiling of Tuophema Village Foundation memorial monolith comprising Kense and Kaco clans of the village on Friday, Rio remarked that the Nagas were blessed people and had prospered over the years through the blessings of their ancestors who had lived their lives with good values and morals.
Rio therefore urged the present generation to imbibe and inculcate the good values that “our ancestors” had left behind and live “our lives” well in unity among “ourselves and with our neighbours as well”.
He said it was important to know “our history and roots” to have a better understanding of “ourselves” and others, and also to identify as to “who we are and where we come from”.
The chief minister further reminded the villagers that they had a huge responsibility as the village was a “tourist village” where people from all walks of life from far and near came to witness its beauty and essence.
Lauding the villagers for their efforts in maintaining cleanliness, the chief minister however, said that they could still make it cleaner, adding “a clean village reflects the health and wellbeing of its dwellers”.
Narrating a brief history of Tuophema village, head GB Thekrucha Kaco and GB Salieo Kense narrated how the Kense and Kaco clans wanted to establish a new village.
The duo informed the gathering that it was said that Kense clan members used to come from the present Gariphema village, while Kaco clan members came from Phenwhenyu village and met at the present Tuophema village a number of times.
However, since it was the head-hunting days and they did not know each others’ intention and language, they pointed their spears at each other and used to depart to their respective villages.
One day, through sign language, they both understood that they wanted to establish a new village.
Hence, after counting their fingers to seven, they returned on the seventh day and laid the foundation of Tuophema village at the present spot.
Initially, the village was known as Hutuophema, but during the British rule it was shortened and rechristened as Tuophema, by which name it was known till today, they added.