Nagaland Literature Festival Highlights Indigenous Storytelling

Kohima: The sixth Nagaland Literature Festival kicked off in Kohima on October 30. Writers and publishers gathered to bridge the gap between ancient oral traditions and modern writing. The Writers Collective Kohima runs the two-day event. They operate under the theme From Hearth to Page.

MLA and School Education Advisor Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome delivered the keynote address. He argued that Naga society holds a vast repository of ancestral knowledge. He noted how these myths sustain cultural identity. Yhome said, "Naga society, with its predominantly oral history, possessed a rich repository of ancestral knowledge and storytelling traditions that needed greater documentation and preservation." He urged writers to push back against stereotypes and capture the true pulse of the Northeast.

Writers Collective Kohima president Vishu Rita Krocha founded the group in 2019 alongside three other enthusiasts. The collective has grown to 11 members since holding its first festival in 2021. Krocha noted the group faces ongoing financial hurdles. She wants more state government backing to support young talent.

The festival introduces the NLF Prizes this year. Organizers received over 80 entries across poetry, short story, and essay categories. Winners will appear at the closing ceremony. Four books launched during the opening session. Publishers like Woods Publishers, Barweaver, PenThrill, Heritage, and 6th Finger occupy the event stalls. The program includes literary talks, oral storytelling sessions, and cultural performances.