The Ongpangkong Kaketshir Mungdang (OKM) organised the third edition of ‘Wazuka Ayuba Mapatong’ (2021-2024) ‘Awareness on Preserving Ao language’ under the theme ‘Tetsü Oshi Tali Senputi’ roughly translated as ‘Embracing Mother Tongue’ on 8 November at Multi-Purpose Hall, Khensa Village, Mokokchung.

The competition is held phase wise at different locations under Ongpangkong Range. After the first two phases were held online due the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s competition was held in person on Ao Language Slam Poetry on the topic ‘Clean Election’.

Dr Rongsenchiba, General Secretary, Ongpangkong Conference (OM) graced the occasion as the special guest. In his speech, he said the International Mother’s Language Day is observed on 21 February every year to promote the preservation and protection of all languages in the whole world.

To preserve and promote one’s identity, culture, tradition and custom, one needs to protect one’s own language, Dr Ronsenchiba added that to protect one’s language one must be able to read, speak and write that language, he added.

He also stressed that our language might become endangered in the future through the influences of various foreign languages and said that one can embrace and learn new languages without letting them affect one’s cultural identity and language.

Dr Rongsenchiba, General Secretary, Ongpangkong Conference (OM

Sashimeren Jamir, Convener of the Tetsu Oshi Wazuka Ayuba Mapatong (2021–2024) enlightened those present that according to UNESCO, there are four levels of endangerment of languages based in inter-generational transfer: vulnerable, definitely endangered, severely endangered and critically endangered, which will lead to the extinction of a language.

He also let the gathering know that there are six thousand languages according to UNESCO with 2,471 languages facing the four stages highlighted by UNESCO and 196 languages in India which falls in the part of extinction. He cautioned that the Ao languages may be put on that list.

Jamir also highlighted that since 2015, OKM has organized various awareness programs in preserving Ao language and called upon the youths to get a glimpse of how globalization is affecting our languages and how one should adapt to the changing world by preserving and promoting one’s language and identity.

Nekmi Longkumer, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM) General Secretary, in his short speech stressed the importance of each language. As he went on to say that the English Language became famous with the inclusion of various languages, he also urged the Aos to give importance to its language and increase its richness and utility through various forms of awareness programmes and practices.

Longkumer also encouraged the youths to learn from every walk of one’s life and reminded them not to hesitate in asking queries from the elders and gain knowledge. He remarked, “when one’s languages are lost, one’s cultural identity gets endangered”.

In his brief exhortation, Imtitoshi, Chairman, Khensa Village Council remarked that our traditional attires are an important aspect of our identity. He said that when one’s mother language is not spoken, there arises the question of one’s identity.

He encouraged the gathering to start the practice from one’s own household for preserving and promoting mother language as our identity is on the verge of extinction and we need to revive again through various awareness programs. One needs to change where change is required; do research where it is required to bring out facts and figures, Imtitoshi said.

The program was graced with a special song from Khensa Shisashir Telongjem (Khensa Students’ Union).

Earlier, the program was chaired by Sungkumjang Kichu, General Secretary, OKM, and Rev K Temjen Longchar, Pastor, Khensa Baptist Arogo pronounced the invocation.

Several students, representing their own units, participated in the Slam Poetry Competition on the topic ‘Clean Election’.

Kajenkala Jamir from Ungma Unit won the competition while Sashitongzük of Longmisa Unit and Sentikumla M Longkumer of Chuchuyimpang Unit bagged the second and third positions respectively. Each of them was awarded a cash prize and certificate.