Religious controversy over ‘Naga Script’
Dimapur| September 11 : Laokainang Phaomei’s vision to unite Nagas through a common script appears to be heading the wrong way. Phaomei’s claim of God’s vision – shown to him in January 1958 inside a prison cell in Imphal – is caught in a web of controversy. It is now being seen as an evil threatening to destroy the fabric of a Christian society. The story of the ‘Naga script’ which was virtually unknown was reintroduced by one KN Walim in 2009. Thereupon, the subsequently usage of the script by one Yehoi Konyak is now causing unrest in several pockets of the state.
The ‘Naga script’ first made headlines in July 2009, when a Naga script school was opened at Nihoto village in Dimapur district. The school had been imparting training to several interested students, most of whom were members of a religious commune living in a ‘prayer centre’ adjoining the school. After almost a year and half of lull, the ‘Naga script’ has resurfaced, but not without controversies.
Right from the beginning, some people raised doubts and suspicion about the script as it was being used by religious communes. The Konyak Union (KU) was the first to accuse Yahoi, a self styled missionary, for introducing the script to his followers in Mon and other parts of the state. The KU said that Yahoi was misleading a large section of innocent Konyak people by propagating false teachings which was against the doctrines and principles of Christianity.
KU expressed concerns that although Yahoi and his followers took pride in saying that they believe in God and the Bible, their way of worship was not only ‘anti-Christian’ but has also becoming a social evil.
‘They do not belong to any Christian denomination but rather it is a religious cult,’ KU said after it burned down the church used by the group in Mon town. The KU also cited some example- that the followers of this group are forbidden to eat pork which is a sin and observing fasting for 40 to 90 days. Besides, it was mandatory for the teachers/leaders to keep their hair long, observing rituals to some important historical stones and monuments, the conduct of funeral service being totally against Christian norms, observing special prayer service during full moon etc.
KU also said that the group had similar worship rituals as an animistic religion followed by a particular Naga tribe spread across Nagaland, Manipur and Assam. Moreover, KU said it has reasons to suspect because the ‘leader’ of the ‘Naga script committee’ is a follower of that particular Naga animistic religion.
In the last year and a half, Naga script has reportedly been introduced in several prayer centres in the State. According to a very reliable source, the church established by Yahoi in Mon follows similar rituals like the one practiced by a religious commune living in a prayer centre adjoining the Naga script school.
Suspicions have also been raised from various corners about people were increasingly found living in various types of religious communes and engaging in unconventional behavior, such as speaking in tongues faith healing, meditating (often under the tutelage of a spiritual leader).
These spiritual leaders claim to be possessed by the ‘Holy Spirit’ and are propagating the ‘Naga script.’ It has been reported that a young Naga boy claiming to be ‘Messiah’ has been performing miracles very similar to those recorded in the Bible. According to sources, the boy does not cut his hair as he claims it would makes him lose his powers- a strikingly similar style adopted in Yahoi church. Sources confirmed that the young boy had claimed earlier this year that he would set up a church in ‘Konyak land.’ The young boy is reportedly a close associate of Yahoi and another lady, who is also a member of religious commune in Dimapur. Interestingly, it has been reported that both the lady and the boy have been ostracized by their apex Baptist church association for propagating false prophesies among their people.
The emergence of such religious sects is not new in Nagaland. Ever since the revivalist movement began in the 1990’s, Nagaland Christianity has been grappling with issues of false prophesies.
The propagators of the ‘Naga script’ have said that there is ‘no connection’ between the Naga script and the religious communes. Atoho Sumi, a strong propagator of the ‘Naga script’ defended Yahoi and his close associates, saying the ‘Naga script’ is being taught in the prayer centres because they cannot afford to open a separate school for ‘Naga script.’ In reference to the young boy and the lady, he said they are simply praying for the unification of Naga people which again, he said, can only come through the Naga script. While KU has described the prayer centre and the Naga script as anti-Christ, it is reported that the group has spread its wings towards the Myanmar border along the Chindwin River.
The Naga script consists basically of symbols with 26 alphabets, 8 vowels and numbers looking similar to the Hindi script. The pronunciation of the alphabets are said to be derived from the sound of chickens, another revelation from ‘God’ to Phaomei. The significance of the script as per the divine revelation, however, falls short of having any vocabulary. The script does not provide verbal communication. The propagators say that in time a ‘common Naga language’ will be designed which will incorporate words from all Naga dialects. This, however, remains to be seen considering the complicacy of the myriad Naga dialects. For now, they say, the first step is to unite Naga people through the script and that it is the revelation of the Holy Spirit to learn the ‘Naga script.’
Whether it is religious sect, a cult, or propaganda, Naga people need to think the pros and cons of adopting the Naga script. Though it may seem relevant for Naga people to have common script, the larger problem remains as people are looking upon it with suspicion and distaste. Unless the propagators come out with a clear distinction about the script and the involvement of religious prayer centres in promoting the script, it is obvious the script will be rebuked and continue to face opposition.
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