Correspondent
KOHIMA, JUL 4 (NPN): The third edition of “Unscripted – Storytelling Conversations and Creative Dialogues” was held at The Book Home, Billy Graham Road, Kohima on July 4, organised by the Writers Collective, Kohima.
The session featured Medoselhou Keretsü, who shared oral narratives on the traditions, customs and worldview of the Tenyimia people. He recalled growing up in a society guided by a strict agricultural calendar, communal living, religious rites and the traditional belief system known as Tsa Na, where values such as bravery, hospitality, honesty, justice and respect were deeply embedded.
Keretsü noted that long before Christianity, the Tenyimia people believed in one supreme being and practised values closely reflecting Christian principles. Speaking on marriage customs, he explained that proposals were made through respected emissaries, with acceptance depending on favourable dreams and rituals, while women initiating proposals was socially unacceptable.
On funeral rites, he described the belief in life after death and the spiritual world Terhuora, explaining burial rituals such as placing a wood chip in the right hand, offering Siasii (basket of rice), performing Theprie (ritual meat distribution), and serving food for the spirit for 30 days. He also highlighted the traditional justice system where elders delivered binding judgments, with punishments including sevenfold compensation for theft and seven years’ exile for accidental homicide.
Introducing the programme, Vizovono Elizabeth said “Unscripted” is an initiative of the Writers Collective aimed at preserving and promoting Naga literature, oral traditions and storytelling. She noted that the collective has organised the Nagaland Literature Festival since 2021 and launched “Unscripted” as a platform to document the knowledge and experiences of community elders.
The programme was chaired by Avinuo Kire.