Kohima Programme Highlights Need to Keep Naga Culture Alive

A two-day Living Morung initiative on “Sharing on Concept of Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Heritage” was organised by the Department of Art & Culture at the State Academy of Music and Dance in Kohima on August 19. Alobo Naga, Director of the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC), Dimapur, attended the programme as the special guest and highlighted the importance of keeping traditional culture alive in the present era. Drawing from his experience as a musician, educator and cultural practitioner, he said culture should be viewed not only as heritage but also as a means of learning, empowerment and community connection. Alobo Naga explained that the traditional Morung served as a centre of learning where elders passed down knowledge, stories, songs, skills and values to younger generations. He stressed that the spirit of the Morung remains relevant today, particularly in preserving and sharing indigenous knowledge. He noted that traditional songs, dances, crafts, weaving, languages and stories are not simply remnants of the past but important elements of cultural identity. The initiative seeks to encourage greater engagement with traditional knowledge and strengthen cultural connections between generations.