- Loreni Tsanglao, NET Correspondent, Nagaland
In an effort to preserve the rich Naga cultural & traditional legacy, particularly of Lotha tribe; the Class XII students of Don Bosco Higher Secondary School in Wokha took part in cultural activity comprising of traditional shawl weaving, jewellery designing, traditional hut making, traditional fire making, bamboo plate making and basket weaving held today at the school premises.
Realizing the need to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Lothas and promoting skill development, the ceremony stressed on the initiative undertaken by the language teacher Marcus Humtsoe.
He lamented that in the rapid changing world, pupils get influenced by western and other alien cultures, gradually makes the youth forget their own culture and identity.
Therefore, Humtsoe urged the students to preserve the rich cultural heritage of the Lothas and carry it forward throughout generations.
Speaking on the occasion, the Principal of DBHSS Wokha – Rev. Fr. T.C Joseph, highlighted that two events comprising of inter-class penalty shoot out and cultural programme was organized in lieu of the centenary celebration of salesian congregation coming to northeast India.
He recalled that it was with great difficulty the Salesian congregation accepted from the Holy See, when the Pope urged the society to take up the mission of Northeast India. Initially, 11 Salesians came to Northeast India to start the mission of Don Bosco.
Despite challenges, the pioneers greatly sacrificed and contributed in the last 100 years of Don Bosco mission to Northeast India; stressing on its developmental growth, especially along education and skill development sector.
Addressing the students, Rev. Fr. T.C Joseph asserted that the students must learn their culture and also appreciate the good in the culture. The students must not lose their identity with Western education and all other imitations of different culture which may lose the values of one’s own culture.
He expressed that the students should be given the opportunity to understand and identity their own culture.
Besides, he encouraged the students to learn and appreciate their own culture without forgetting their roots and serve the society in the best way possible.
Traditional shawl weaving and jewellery designing was carried out by the female students while the male students participated in basket weaving, traditional hut making, bamboo plate making and traditional fire making.
