Christian Converts in Nagaland Struggle to Uphold Tribal Roots

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Christian Converts in Nagaland Struggle to Uphold Tribal Roots

 

http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?

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Thursday November 25 2004 12:44 IST

IANS

KOHIMA

 

 

With her smoke and honey voice, 22-year-old Ale Metha is almost the

Norah Jones of Nagaland.

 

She counts among her fans even state Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who

often calls the young schoolteacher to sing at functions.

 

At these events, Metha, a devout Christian, plays a dual role - she

dances a traditional war dance where in the end a man is mock

scalped and

then croons in her nightingale voice about Christ as her saviour.

 

Therein lies a huge dichotomy. "The dance, yes, that would be

considered pagan in rigid Christianity," Metha, an English graduate,

grinned

almost apologetically.

 

"But it's part of my ancient culture, I cannot forsake it. Just like

I

cannot leave Christ, my lord, god. So the two have learnt to live

together."

 

In this, Metha is like many in this Christian-majority state where

most

people also belong to one of the numerous ancient tribes.

 

Christianity first came to Nagaland in 1872 but the main waves of

faith

conversion happened between the 1950s and 1970s.

 

Today around 88 percent of the Nagas are Christians, who also

zealously

don the feather-filled headgear and horn and ivory jewellery of

their

fierce, head hunter forefathers at traditional festivals.

 

"We have seamlessly combined the two," said Alem Pongen, 21, who

dances

hip-hop in a group called Freestyler's and also uses his suppleness

in

the war dances.

 

"We don't think too much about how they are contradictory. Both of

them

are us. There is no concept of 'false gods' in our Christianity."

 

That's why today a whole new generation of Nagas in this state of

around 1.9 million are learning about the bravery of their tribe

leaders

even as they memorise the scriptures at Sunday school. Nagaland has

the

Bible in 12 languages and regularly sends missionaries to other

parts of

India.

 

"I want to be a missionary," said Awadang Pongen, an arts graduate.

"But I will teach my flock that it's important to hold on to one's

history

and culture.

 

"My forefathers were courageous men, yes, sometimes a little wild.

But

they were winners, not afraid to die for what they believed was

rightfully theirs."

 

That's why, explained Metha, churches were as important to her and

her

friends as respecting nature - just as their ancestors once did.

 

"We are nature loving people. We may not actually worship it because

we

believe that god is the ultimate provider but our respect comes very

close to worship," said Metha, who admires Grammy winner and sitar

maestro Ravi Shankar's daughter Norah Jones and evangelist Billy

Graham.

 

"I want to sing like Norah and preach like Billy Graham. I'm good at

dual tasking. No problem."