Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), on Monday, launched a new book titled ‘Aor Kilong Oset’ (Indigenous Household Craft of the Ao Nagas) at a programme attended by Watsü Mungdang (Ao Women Organisation), Ao Senden Literature Board, AKM members and others, at the AKM Conference Hall in Mokokchung.
The book was released by T. Senka Ao, former AKM President and recipient of 2022 Padma Shri Award (the fourth-highest civilian award of the Republic of India) and Nagaland Governor’s Award in Literature in the year 2016.
Ao, in his speech, stated that the book is the first of its kind and acknowledged the initiative and efforts of AKM in producing such a valuable book.
He said that the book, ‘Aor Kilung Oset’, contains the indigenous household crafts of the Ao Nagas, its origin and the philosophies behind the use of materials.
He said that with the evolution of the world and the changing trends, the usage of traditional materials has decreased but he stressed for the preservation of the philosophies.
“Atepdang (Fireplace) is the first institution for the Ao’s where learning of spiritual, moral values takes place”, the Padma Shri winner said while expressing disappointment over the decreasing usage of mother tongue.
He lamented that the mother tongue is dying at the fireplace and in the church and called upon all to have the moral responsibility to preserve it.
T. Senka Ao, former AKM President and recipient of 2022 Padma Shri Award and 2016 Nagaland Governor’s Award.
Further, T. Senka said that the Ao language comprises of words from both Mongsen and Chongli dialects, which are related to each other. He also stated that Ao Language does not have much of legal language but is more of social language.
He also encouraged the people to speak the different dialects of all villages with a liberal mind and enrich the Ao language.
Senka urged the gathered to create a favourable environment for future writers because books will only benefit the society. He further challenged the community to do away with hostile mentality citing that many people could not write books because of various issues with the society.
Moreover, the Governor’s Award recipient encouraged AKM to initiate more projects to produce such books as there are many more fields on which books can be written.
AKM president, Nungdokyanger Ao, appreciated everyone who contributed to the book and informed that the book launch is only the first phase, and such initiatives will be a continuous process.
The book was compiled with the help of the competition on ‘Aor Kilung Oset Jaya’ held among 18 villages and materials for the book were collected from various sources under a committee led by Dr. Lanurenla along with P Tiatemsu, Repabenla, Sentilong Ozukum, Sashimeren, Akangnungdang and Imlolangba DB.
The book contains information on 37 household crafts using bamboo and cane crafts, 42 household crafts using bamboo, 20 woodcrafts, 13 metal/earth/stone crafts and 18 other household crafts.
‘Aor Kilung Oset’ is published by the Heritage Publishing House and translated at the Language Translation Centre, Fazl Ali College. The book was sponsored by North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC).
The book will be available at 69th AKM General Conference to be held at Akhoya village from 18 – 20 January 2023.
