A village called Nbena :: Book Review

Kendy Pamei *

The needs for reconstructing the traditional value of the people are the immediate needs of the modern society. The Liangmai tribe of Manipur and Nagaland were believed to have a rich traditional and culture historical values, which are being embedded in the form of oral narrations, folk songs/tales, myth, monuments, monoliths etc. Such important aspect of the people has lost it moral values as the modern society look for the written documents while disrespecting the oral traditions of the people.

Many foreign/Indian writers have attempted to write the identity of Naga tribes in the recent decades; however there are no authentic and precise writings that can be accounted for.

The small book called “A Village Called Nbena” by Anna Sireiliu, daughter of former MP (Outer Manipur) Shri. Mani Charenamai, which was written with a firsthand account of oral narrations substantiated by the factual facts, brought out the important aspect of the Liangmai in particular and Zeliangrong in general.

I am very fortunate and glad to have read the book and guarantee that this book, yet small in size but its powerful discourse of the migration story of the concern people will ignite the enthusiastic minds of the young generation and it will become an important asset for the research scholars down the history.

Important aspect of the book are; the clear and precise narration of the culture and tradition evolutions and migration of Nbenamai to the present settlements and also the recreation of stories of legendary figures as while the rich habitats of the Nbena (Liangmai in general).

Such valuable intangible assets of the people are slowly losing it value in the modern society, as people tends to adopt the western cultures and lifestyle thus, hampering the morality of the people thereby, bringing divisive ideologies and conflicts with the traditional value.

Such contradiction in the society can only be bridge by acknowledging the traditional values by tracing through our roots, Derise Tolliver and Elizabeth J. Tisdell; 2002, has clearly pointed out that culture identity can “help people withstand oppression and can be motivated to support social transformation”.

Henceforth, it is inevitable to neglect the culture identity, as it can hamper the growth of the society/community and also it can play a vital role in uniting the people against the unforeseen elements that tends to disintegrate the community.

The book has touched the core of all the above mentioned aspects; as such it will surely act as a spark of fire to ignite the hearts of the young generations.

I am looking forward to read more books from Ms. Anna, who has a keen interest in folktales and history of the people of North East India.

The author has taken keen interest in the book and her work will be a motivation for the young generations.