Exploring Naga Life, Culture, and Gender Representation through the Writings of Easterine Kire: A Study of Don't Run, My Love and the Nagas' Struggle for Self-Determination

Abstract

This research focuses on the Nagas, a large population residing along the Indo-Myanmar border, known for their distinct culture and language. The study examines the works of Easterine Kire, a renowned literary figure from Nagaland, with a particular emphasis on her novel Don't Run, My Love. The objective is to explore how Kire's writings provide insights into Naga life, culture, and society. The Nagas, comprising approximately three million people, form a multi-ethnic community dispersed across different countries. Since 1947, they have been actively involved in a movement for self-determination, striving for a separate Nagaland state. However, their journey has been marked by ethnic conflicts and insurgencies as they struggle for cultural autonomy and political recognition. This research analyses the impact of colonialism, regionalism, and identity politics on the Naga community, considering the historical and sociological contexts that shape their collective consciousness as a separate and independent nation. Drawing on Kire's novel, the study examines the folktale or allegory presented in Don't Run, My Love, which explores the complexities and dangers of romantic love through the perspectives of two female characters, Visenuo and Atuonuo. By challenging the prevailing notion of male supremacy in patriarchal societies, Kire highlights the inner strength of these women, contributing to a broader discourse on gender roles and empowerment. The narrative also delves into the Naga cycle of life, seasons, and harvest, providing insights into their agrarian practices, particularly the Angami technique of land irrigation through terracing and irrigation.