Revisiting the Ideological Stance of Naga People: An Interview with Easterine Kire

Abstract

In the literary history of Nagaland, Easterine Kire’s work is significant because of her depiction of the socio-cultural and historical background of Naga people. In this conversation, she touches on many themes including Naga communities’ unique traditions, socio-cultural dynamics, multigenerational indigenous knowledge of tribal people, the community’s heterogenous identity, and the feminist ideology of Naga society. Kire also shows how memory and history associated with Naga culture have a lasting impact on the condition of present-day Nagaland. She talks about the need to preserve the memories of forgotten and marginalized history of this region. Furthermore, the interview also focuses on the importance of the voice of the elders in Naga society, the rituals and taboos of Naga people, rich and lively interaction of people withinthe Naga community, the ethics of altruism and cooperation among Naga people, and the cultural and political forces and disputes that shape the socio-cultural, ethical and moral identity of Naga people.