Nagaland University (NU) is organizing a two-day training programme on indigenous cuisines of Nagaland. Spearheaded by the Committee for Indigenous Traditional Knowledge (ITK) of Nagaland, NU, the inaugural ceremony was held on March 17, 2025 with Prof. J.K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor, NU as the Chief Guest.
Chaired by Dr. Neizo Puro, the ceremony began with welcome address by Prof. Athungo Ovung, Dept of Sociology. Prof. Ovung stressed the importance of traditional knowledge stating that documentation of indigenous knowledge systems is necessary to ensure the continuous flow of knowledge across generations. He expressed hope that the culinary experts comprising Prof. Visakhonu Hibo, Principal, Japfü Christian College and her faculty colleagues would help the trainees explore new set of skills and knowledge. Prof. Ovung also gave an overview of ‘Integration of ITK in Nagaland University’ by reflecting on the core objectives and principles related to the initiative.
Resourse person Prof. Visakhonu Hibo gave a lecture on Naga Cuisines, which was interspersed with video clippings for immersive experience of the participants. Prof. Hibo also highlighted her experience of integrating traditional knowledge on cuisine as skill-enhancement course at Japfü Christian College. Students have responded well to the course and the outcome is very positive especially in the context of re-inventing Naga traditional taste, she added. She also highlighted the importance of self-subsistence and sustainable way of life by going back to nature. She said nature had the potential to meet our food needs, given the availability of a variety of plants and herbs with medicinal properties in our immediate physical surrounding. She emphasized the importance of scientific investigation of these plants and also appealed for community participation in preserving these resources.
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Chief Guest, Prof. J.K. Patnaik, Vice-Chancellor of Nagaland University acknowledged the organising committee, resource persons, staff, and students, while also extending his best wishes to the participants for a rich learning experience. Prof. Patnaik highlighted the importance of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and their preservation in the present context. He said the ITK will be brought under the Indigenous Knowledge System (IKS) Centre which is in the pipeline. Prof. Patnaik opined that Nagaland University is at the threshold of making a big achievement because until now the state of Nagaland has not been at the forefront of IKS. He hoped that the proposed Centre will also eventually develop into a full-fledged department based on indigenous resources, encompassing cuisines, languages, traditional medicines, etc. Prof. Patnaik also hightlighted the tremendous academic progress being made by the University in recent times, during his speech.
The ceremony ended with a vote of thanks proposed by Peter Ki, PRO, Nagaland University. The programme was attended by Deans, HoDs, faculty, officers, research scholars, and students. It may be mentioned that 19 participants comprising of research scholars, PG students and staff members from Nagaland University will be trained by the culinary experts during 17-18 March 2025.
The formal ceremony was followed by a traditional food tasting at the newly constructed Naga Kitchen which located at Rajiv Gandhi Park, NU, Lumami.
