Noted Naga writer Vishü Rita Krocha, on Friday , released her new book titled “Tales from the Enchanted Village” at Zhavame village.

During the launch on September 20, Krocha expressed her deep pride in her roots in Zhavame village. She described the village as enchanting, highlighting its lasting fascination for her especially of childhood summers spent with her grandparents which introduced her to the simplicity of rural life, revealing a world she might not have otherwise known.

“Even if I hadn’t realised then as a little girl, I now know with firm conviction that those were some of the best days of my life. In my mind, I can still imagine my paternal grandfather-a sternly disciplined and well-built man, who always insisted that you get the morning air, which, in his words, was purest at the break of dawn,” shared Krocha.

The author reminisced about her childhood, recalling how, in the absence of a direct bus from Kohima to Zhavame, her grandfather would take her and her siblings on an adventurous journey. They would ride a packed NST bus to Pfütsero and then walk about 10 kilometers to the village. Once there, their days were filled with farming and endless rural adventures. Cherishing these lived experiences as some of her most valuable treasures, Krocha especially acknowledged the love, warmth, and storytelling of her grandparents.

She said the stories in this collection are a result of a memorable life spent with her grandparents where it took years of sitting down with them, especially with her maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother, who lived to be 94 and 104 respectively- a lifespan that she continue to marvel at.

“These stories carry their legacy and the legacy of my native land that I wholly love. Zhavame literally means “people of the enchanted lake”, and this is the very inspiration of the book title,” said Krocha.

These tales, for Krocha, embodied a time she did not personally experience, yet evoked in her the smell, sound, taste, air, and soil of her homeland. They represent her heritage and community, and retelling these stories is her way of preserving the richness of her native village.

Medovi Rhi, NSF President stated that the book is a testament to the enduring spirit of “our people, a celebration of our stories, and an offering to generations yet to come”.

In a rapidly changing world, Rhi emphasized the importance of pausing to reflect on the narratives that shape us as a people. He stated that the Naga stories are not merely folklore or fables; they are living documents of one’s history, customs, and values, enabling us to preserve the heart and soul of our Naga identity.

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“Our stories, like those captured so beautifully by Vishü Rita Krocha, remind us of where we come from, of the trials and triumphs that have shaped our journey, and of the values that continue to guide us. As Nagas, our stories are inseparable from our traditions and customs. In them, we find the core values that define who we are: the importance of community, the respect for elders, the love for our land, and the spirit of resilience. Whether it is through tales of warriors who defended our villages or through the simple, yet profound stories of everyday life, our narratives have always reflected our moral compass — one that values honor, kinship, and justice,” stated Rhi.

In “Tales from the Enchanted Village,” the stories serve not only to entertain but also to educate. According to Rhi, they highlight the interconnectedness of all things, the importance of respecting nature, and the delicate balance between tradition and change.

“Through this book, Vishü Rita Krocha has not only captured the essence of a village but also the heartbeat of a people. She reminds us that preserving our stories is not merely an act of nostalgia; it is an act of resistance. It is our way of saying that our voices matter, that our history is worth preserving, and that our identity as Nagas will not be erased,” expressed Rhi.

The program was earlier blessed with an invocation by Salunyi Joseph Shupao, Ex-Catechist, St. Xavier’s Catholic Church, Zhavame.