Naga oral traditions took centre stage at the sixth edition of the Nagaland Literature Festival, which began in Kohima on October 30, as writers and speakers called for stronger efforts to preserve indigenous stories, myths and folklore. The discussions highlighted the importance of documenting ancestral knowledge and ensuring that traditional narratives reach younger generations through literature.
Organised by Writers Collective Kohima under the theme ‘From Hearth to Page’, the two-day festival brings together writers, publishers and literary enthusiasts. The event explores how stories once shared around traditional kitchen hearths can find new life through books, publications and digital platforms.
The gathering also highlights the importance of recognising homegrown literary talent and giving indigenous voices greater representation in contemporary literature.
Nagaland Literature Festival stresses the value of folklore
Delivering the keynote address, MLA and Advisor for School Education Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome emphasised the need to preserve Naga storytelling traditions through literature.
He observed that Naga society possessed a rich repository of ancestral knowledge because of its predominantly oral history. Myths and folklore, he explained, remained closely connected to the past and helped communities transmit moral values, cultural identities and collective experiences across generations.
Yhome also drew comparisons with Greek and Roman mythology while discussing how stories continue to evolve through retelling and reinterpretation.
He stressed that writers had an important responsibility to challenge stereotypes and represent the diverse identities and experiences of Northeast India. Furthermore, he identified indigenous beliefs, rituals and traditional knowledge systems as valuable sources of literary creativity.
His remarks placed Naga oral traditions within a wider discussion about cultural representation and the role of literature in preserving collective memory.
From traditional hearths to contemporary publications
Explaining this year’s theme, Writers Collective Kohima president Vishü Rita Krocha said ‘From Hearth to Page’ represented the journey of Naga heritage from traditional storytelling to contemporary written and digital forms.
For generations, community elders have passed down stories about ancestral origins, customs, beliefs and everyday life. These narratives have helped preserve knowledge even without written records.
However, changing lifestyles and communication habits have created new challenges for maintaining these practices. As younger generations increasingly engage with digital media, opportunities to learn directly from traditional storytellers may become limited.
Therefore, documenting folklore, translating narratives and encouraging intergenerational conversations have become important steps towards preservation.
The festival seeks to connect traditional knowledge with modern literary expression. It also encourages writers to explore their cultural roots while making local stories accessible to wider audiences.
Writers Collective expands its literary initiatives
Writers Collective Kohima was established in 2019 by four literature enthusiasts to promote Naga literature and storytelling. According to Krocha, the organisation now has 11 members and organised its first Nagaland Literature Festival in 2021.
Despite financial constraints, the collective has continued organising literary gatherings and creating platforms for regional writers.
The organisation has also developed smaller storytelling initiatives to complement its annual festival. One such programme is ‘Unscripted’, which brings community elders and storytellers into conversations about traditional knowledge, customs and cultural experiences.
Its third edition, held in Kohima on July 4, featured Naga elder Medoselhou Keretsü sharing oral narratives about Tenyimia traditions, social practices and traditional beliefs.
The initiative reflects the collective’s wider effort to document stories directly from people who have inherited and preserved them.
Meanwhile, Krocha called for greater institutional support from the state government to nurture young literary and artistic talent. She said initiatives promoting literature deserved sustained investment and recognition.
NLF Prizes, book releases add to festival highlights
The sixth edition has introduced the inaugural NLF Prizes in three categories: Poetry, Short Story and Essay. The organisers received more than 80 entries for the awards, highlighting participation from aspiring and established writers.
The winners are scheduled to be announced during the closing ceremony. The initiative aims to recognise creative contributions and encourage more people to participate in literary activities.
Additionally, four books were released during the inaugural programme. Publishers including Woods Publishers, Barweaver, PenThrill, Heritage and 6th Finger are participating in the festival.
The programme also features literary discussions, oral storytelling sessions, cultural performances and stalls displaying books, creative works and local products.
These activities provide opportunities for writers to interact with readers, exchange ideas and introduce new literary works.
Protecting indigenous knowledge for future generations
The festival’s focus extends beyond celebrating books and literary achievements. It raises broader questions about how communities can protect their cultural identities amid changing social and technological environments.
Preserving Naga oral traditions requires active participation from elders, writers, educational institutions and cultural organisations. Recording stories, documenting indigenous languages and encouraging young people to learn traditional narratives can help prevent valuable knowledge from disappearing.
Moreover, literary platforms can give smaller communities greater opportunities to share their histories in their own voices. Such efforts can also strengthen cultural understanding across Northeast India.
As the festival concludes its two-day programme in Kohima, its message highlights the need to protect Naga oral traditions through sustained documentation, community participation and institutional support. By bringing ancestral stories into contemporary literature, Nagaland can help ensure that its cultural heritage remains meaningful for generations to come.