Dr. P.S. Lorin Education Conclave

On November 1, Tetso College held its first Dr. P.S. Lorin Annual Impact Lecture at Lorin Hall, with keynote speaker Dr. Visier Meyasetsu Sanyü. The event, presided over by Benisha Keppen, Principal of Rincho Academy and former Sociology lecturer at Tetso, was organized to commemorate the birthday of the college’s founder., the late Dr. P.S. Lorin.

Reverend Haiwalo Apon opened the event with an invocation, honoring Dr. Lorin’s integrity and dedication. Following the praye, dignitaries paid tribute to Dr. Lorin by watering the Founders’ Tree. The college choir then performed the College Anthem, and the Department of Music presented Dr. Lorin’s favorite hymn, “The Love of God.”

In her welcome address, Principal Dr. Hewasa L. Khing welcomed and acknowledged the keynote speaker, friends and family of the founders, governing board members of Tetso College, students and faculty from visiting institutes, and the entire Tetso college community. She shared that Dr. P.S Lorin Annual Impact Lecture is intended for all members of the Naga community and has been conceived to commemorate the life of Dr. P.S Lorin and to honor his legacy through topics and issues that align with Dr. Lorin’s passion for education, social progress, and cultural preservation. It has been named impact lectures with the hope that it will create a far-reaching impact both in the present and in the future. Tetso College believes and hopes that the lectures will resonate with all sections of the society on important and relevant issues over time. Dr. P.S Lorin was an educationist who more often than not chose to be optimistic about the world around him. He worked closely with the community and was part of many social organizations that were all working for positive change, and he had a deep love for the naga community. Keeping all of this in mind, for the inaugural Dr. P.S. Lorin Annual Impact Lecture, Dr. Visier Meyasetsu Sanyu, a respected elder in the Naga community with similar traits to Dr. Lorin’s deep love for the community and with vast experiences from ifferent parts of the world, was approached to be the first keynote speaker for the lecture. She also shared that the topic Reconstructing Naga History from Oral Tradition fits perfectly into Tetso’s focUs area and one that is important for young people today: to be reminded about dwelling deeply on Naga and Nagaland’s history. to hear the wisdom and experiences of an elder who lived through the impact of the colonial times.

Following this, a video on Dr. Lorin’s life and the history of Tetso College was presented.

Vice Principal Dr. Rosy Tep then introduced Dr. Sanyü, an esteemed leader of the Meyasetsu Clan from Khonoma’s Angami tribe, holding a theology degree from the University of Divinity, Melbourne, and a PhD in History from NEHU, Shillong. He formerly led the History and Archaeology Department at Nagaland University and is known internationally, including at the United Nations. for his work in peace and reconciliation. His roles include membership in the Forum of Naga Reconciliation, advisor to the Naga Forum of Peace Initiatives, and former international elder at Initiatives of Change, Switzerland.

The keynote speaker began his lecture by introducing Jan Vansina’s insights from his seminal work Oral Tradition as History, emphasizing the profound role of memory and oral traditiorn in cultural transmission. Vansina’s work underscores that oral traditions are more than naratives: they are complex systems that convey a community’s cultural values, ideologies, and practices across generations. The keynote speaker emphasized how the mind’s ability to remember, articulate, and pass on these traditions reflects a vital aspect of human intelligence and societal continuity.

In the context of the Nagas, whose culture is rich with diverse oral traditions, these ideas take on particular importance. As a region home to numerUS tribes with unique languages and customs, the oral traditions of the Nagas embody the diversity and cultural richness of their communities, presenting both a wealth of cultural knowledge and a pressing need for preservation in the face of external and internal threats.

The keynote speaker highlighted that the Nagas’ oral traditions form the foundation of their collective identity and continuity. Each Naga tribe’s distinct oral traditions encapsulate unique aspects of its clture, history, and worldview, with these stories and rituals functioning as repositories of indigenous knowledge and memory. The speaker suggested that this cultural knowledge offers insights and value to the broader world, especially as interest grows in preserving and understanding indigenous cultures globally.

Vansina’s work proposes that oral traditions should be formally integrated into educational curicula, serving as a vital source of knowledge in disciplines like history. psychology, art, and sociology. By placing these traditions in a structured academic framework, we can support their preservation while honoring their role in societal development. For indigenous communities such as the Nagas, the preservation and study of oral tradition are not merely about keeping memories alive but about ensuring the resilience, survival, and growth of the community.

The address pointed to tourism as a significant internal threat to the authenticity of Naga culture. The Hornbill Festival, for instance, is an annual event intended to showCase Naga culture to visitors. However, the speaker expressed concern that such events are often staged performances lacking in the deep cultural resonance they are intended to portray. For these celebrations to be genuinely reflective of Naga culture, they should align with the “ethereal life” of the community, wherein each song, dance, and ritual has an equivalent resonance in real life.

The speaker argued that although tourisn has its place, it must be carefuly managed to ensure it does not distort or dilute cultural meanings for consumption. The lack of equivalency between staged performances and real-life cultural practices should prompt self-reflection within the Naga community to restore authentic cultural expressions that resonate with everyday life and community cohesion.

The address also explored the impact of external threats on the Naga culture, specifically the trauma experienced from the 1950s to the 1970s when vilages were burned, and communities were displaced due to military operations. This period of upheaval and physical hardship, which forced Nagas to seek shelter in jungles and relocate their villages, led to a transformation in cultural practices. The prolonged displacement disrupted traditional customs and taboos, compeling the community to adapt and reinvent aspects of their cultural identity.

The speaker described this as a “cultural renaissance” born out of necessity. where new songs and myths were created, and cultural taboos were broken. This adaptation under extreme duress reflects the resilience of the Naga people, who, in the face of adversity, not only preserved but reshaped their cultural identity to fit their new circumstances.

One particularly ilustrative example was the revival of the traditional Angani festival Sekrenyi. After being largely abandoned for decades, the festival was recently reintroduced by a Christian Angami, church community in Medziphema. This new form of Sekrenyi, while honoring the past, bore little resemblance to its original form, reflecting both the continuity and transformation of tradition. The speaker noted that for those who had known the traditional festival, the experience of the revived version was a bittersweet one. both a celebration of cultural survival and a mourning of what had been lost.

Dr. Sanyu underscored two main tasks for the Naga people to preserve their culture: retrieval and evolution. Retrieval involves documenting and restoring traditional knowledge with accuracy and respect, ensuring the stories and rituals reflect genine cultural values. Evolution involves adapting these traditions to meet the challenges of the 21 century, ensuring that Naga culture remains vibrant and relevant in a rapidly changing world. Dr. Sanyü asserted that engaging with the global communityis essential but warns against losing touch with cultural roots. By grounding themselves in their own traditions, Nagas can restore traditional knowledge with accuracy and respect, ensuring the stories and rituals reflect genuine cultural values. Dr. Sanyü asserted that engaging with the global community is essential but warns against losing touch with cultural roots. By grounding themselves in their own traditions, Nagas can confidently interact with other cultures from a position of strength, contributing meaningfully to a multicutural society. Dr. Sanyü envisioned a future where Nagas, united by a shared cultural identity, built a pluralistic society. By promoting internal unity and forming aliances within the Northeast and beyond, he believes the Nagas can achieve a vibrant, multifaceted society that respects diversity.

A Q&A session commenced after the lecture where various individuals raised thought provoking questions which further enriched the session. The Lecture ended with a benediction by Achok Konyak, EU Advisor, and Assistant Professor. Dept. of economics.