Clarifying My Folklore

Preserving The Past

For those who have been following my writing, I want to start by thanking you for your support. Your interest in these stories means a great deal to me, as they are deeply rooted in the history and identity of my people.

You may have noticed that I have been sharing folklore without a specific order, but there is a larger structure behind these stories—one that follows the timeline of Naga history.

The stories I have written so far belong to what I call the Nomadic and Settlements Era—a time when the Naga people were still migrating, discovering new lands, and forming the foundations of their villages. These stories reflect their beliefs, struggles, and encounters with various forces that shaped their worldview. This was a time of movement, survival, and adaptation, and oral tradition was the primary means of passing down knowledge, values, and identity from one generation to the next.

Nagas have a rich oral tradition, but without a written system, much of our history has remained unrecorded. Our ancestors relied on storytelling to keep their memories alive, sharing tales of bravery, wisdom, and the supernatural. These stories, passed down through countless generations, have evolved over time, molded by each storyteller’s interpretation and the cultural shifts of different eras. My goal in writing these stories is to preserve these nuggets of the past, weaving together recollections and references from my kin to bring them to life in written form.

The Nomadic and Settlements Era was a defining period in Naga history. It was an era where people lived close to nature, deeply connected to the land and the spirits they believed inhabited it. They worshipped nature, revered the elements, and held stones, rivers, and trees as sacred. Every phenomenon, from a sudden storm to an unexplained disappearance, was given a meaning tied to the divine and the mystical. The stories from this era capture these beliefs and offer a glimpse into the mindset of our ancestors.

For example, Tso Tawo (The Spirit Stone) speaks of divine influence hidden within the earth, guiding and protecting those who respect it. The Axe Spine from the Heavens tells of the struggles of a hunter whose fate is altered by a mystical ingot, symbolizing the fine line between fortune and downfall. These stories are not just myths; they are reflections of real fears, hopes, and moral lessons passed down through time.

Preserving these stories is not just about keeping traditions alive—it is about identity. In a rapidly changing world, where modernity often blurs the indigenous narratives, I find it crucial to safeguard the tales that define who we are. I feel that writing them down enables these stories to reach beyond spoken words, ensuring they do not fade into obscurity with the passing generations. It also gives others a chance to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Nagas, offering insight into a world that existed long before written records.

Moving forward, I will continue to explore different eras, from the formation of clans to the impact of external influences on Naga society. Each period carries its own stories, struggles, and lessons, and I aim to document them as faithfully as possible. But for now, I invite you to immerse yourself in the Nomadic and Settlements Era, where the roots of our people’s history begin.

NB: This is a journey into the past, a tribute to the voices that came before us, and a promise to keep those voices alive. Thank you for being a part of this endeavor, and I hope these stories continue to resonate with you as much as they do with me.