Eclectic Northeast – July 2019

July 2019 │ │ 69

structure of the book is organised and the language is

easy to follow. One of the best things about the book is

the author’s ability to pique your interest from the get-

go and hold it till the very end, which does not happen

in a lot of non-fiction novels. The book never gets

monotonous. Even though the whole book provides

noteworthy information about the Naga community,

the death rituals and the spirituality of certain

tribes are particularly

fascinating.

If you are captivated

by the history and socio-

cultural circumstances of

Naga people, then this is

the book for you. It’s not a

fast read, and shouldn’t be

considered as a leisurely

read either. It’s a thought-

provoking, and well-

researched book that can

act as a dependable source

for researchers. Also, prior

knowledge of certain

historical events such as

the two World Wars, the

British colonisation and a

little about Naga ethnicity

can help understand the

book better.

The book does a great

job to erase all negative

stances that most outsiders

hold of Nagaland and

its people. The epilogue

highlights the quintessence

of being a Naga and how

they preach ‘healing by

listening’ to heal past violent emotional wounds. A

sound philosophy, in the disguise of an end lesson,

that stays with you even after you finish reading the

book.

off with both the historical and the mythical origin,
the written and unwritten historical accounts of the
various Naga tribes. She then moves on to providing
a detailed description of the land, from the geography
and geology of the Naga Hills, flora and fauna to the
structure and architecture of the Naga villages. This
section also talks about the varied social and cultural
Naga practices such as headhunting and spiritual
pagan beliefs.
The second section
‘Christianity and the
Naga Society’ and the
third section ‘From British
Colonisation to Statehood’
depicts the conversion of
Nagas to Christianity after
the onset of American
Baptist Mission, and the
involvement of Naga people
in World War I, Battle of
Khonoma, and Battle of
Kohima, and the aftermath.
The emergence of the Naga
identity, their desire of being
independent of any country,
post war, is included in this
section as well.
‘Turning Points in
Naga History’, the fourth
section highlights the key
moments in Naga history
and addresses the 21st
century scenario of both
traditional and modern
Nagas. The deterioration
of Naga culture because of
their migration to urban
areas, and young Nagas pursuing careers outside
their homeland is being seen as an alarming issue by
inhabitants in Nagaland. The section also talks about
the efforts made to preserve the culture through eco-
tourism and celebrations like the Hornbill Festival.
Incorporating everything essential, from their
humble beginnings to their current state, Kire,
masterfully allows readers to take a closer look at one
of the most unique communities in the country. The