𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐠𝐚 𝐯𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐬

A change is coming to the scene now and Naga is again finding herself. We live in an age of tremendous transition and already the next step takes shape when Naga people assume their rightful place with other peoples.

But we can never forget the ideals that have moved our tribes, the dreams of the Naga people through the ages, the wisdom of the ancients, the buoyant energy and love of life and nature of our forefathers, their spirit of curiosity and mental adventure, the daring of their thoughts, their splendid achievement in art and culture, their love of truth and beauty and freedom, the basic values that they set up, their understanding of life’s mysterious ways, their tolerance of other ways than theirs, their capacity to absorb other peoples and their cultural accomplishments, to synthesize them and develop a varied and mixture culture; nor can we forget the myriad experiences which have built up our ancient tribes and lie embedded in our subconscious minds.

Generations past, our ancestors constructed essential infrastructure such as roads, village gates, morungs (youth dormitories), and numerous stone monoliths within each Naga village, all without the need for hired labor. As a society, we have thrived for millennia, upholding the values of egalitarianism, social equality, and economic equity. Throughout history, during times of war and natural disasters, we unified as a community, residing in a commune, exemplifying our deep-rooted community spirit. This community way of life has been intrinsic to our existence. We were fundamentally a society guided by socialist-democratic principles, where the practice of direct democracy was commonplace within the framework of a village-state. This unique social structure has defined us, emphasizing cooperation, shared responsibility, and a collective pursuit of the common good.

The Naga village stands as the cornerstone of people’s sovereignty and represents the very first institution of the Naga society. It is paramount that we preserve and enhance the Naga village system, infusing it with contemporary attributes to ensure its relevance in the modern world. At its essence, we require devoted and patriotic Naga villagers who function collectively, treating each village as a cohesive corporation. This approach acknowledges the importance of community-driven initiatives, where the wisdom of the villagers converges with modern practices, fostering a synergy that propels our villages into the future. Upholding this system not only safeguards our cultural heritage but also promotes a spirit of unity and self-reliance among the Naga people, paving the way for sustainable progress and prosperity.

The strength of the Naga people will increase in the measure we can march together. It is imperative for the Naga people to reject the party system in the land of the Nagas altogether. What our community truly needs is a form of democracy devoid of political parties. Currently, we find ourselves ensnared within a divisive political framework that pits the public against each other. Nowhere else in our lives would we entertain the notion of resolving issues by forming rival factions, all aiming to annihilate each other. This idea is not only absurd but also a profoundly misguided approach to governance.

What we need is a party-less democracy based on merits. We must aspire to a more enlightened and unified method of addressing our challenges, one that transcends the limitations of party politics and fosters genuine collaboration for the greater good of our society.