Out of Isolation Exploring A Forgotten World

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Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World
- by Frans Welman
- on Naga Culture and the Indo-Naga conflict -

Book Review by Mayori Ruivah Shimray *

Out of Isolation: Exploring a Forgotten World written by Mr. Frans Welman, who is a Photojournalist, writer and documentary filmmaker based in Amsterdam , The Netherlands. He has written three books in relation with the Nagas and many books on other indigenous groups of people. This is the third book that really needs appreciation for his work and in-depth research he has done for the Nagas.

A sense of Deja vu mingled with a quite rage vied with each soul within me as I remember reading books written by outsiders on Nagas. The astute outsider’s critics on Nagas culture have brewed a bad impression on many people including the Nagas themselves.

Mr. Bhattacharya Birendra Kumar, a distinguished Assamese novelist and won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1961 for his first novel on Nagas. The famous writer, who claim to know the Nagas from a close range fail to understand and explain the beauty of the Naga culture and the people as a whole. Perhaps the award was given to him for his sheer contribution in distorting the facts of the Naga history and culture.

Yes there are many more books on Nagas written by Indian writer with similar motive and blur vision on the whole perspective of the Nagas. To cite a few of those plebeian write up are like Nagaland(People of India, Vol34) by K.S.Singh, The Beautiful India-Nagaland by Balraj Verma and Syed Amanur Rahman, Conflict to Reconstruction; Some Observation on Nagaland and Manipur by R.Gopalakrishnan and Nagaland:Darling of the North-East by Kiran Shankar Maitra, which puke the technique of distortion and superficial in their work.

Cover pages for "Out of Isolation"

The books like Naga of Burma: Festivals, Customs and Way of Life by JD Saul, The Nagas: Hill Peoples in Northeast India by Julian Jacobs, The Hidden World of the Naga: Living Traditions in Northeast India and Burma by Aglaja Stirin, Peter Van Ham, From Head-Hunters to Church Planters by Paul Hattaway, An American in Nagaland by Tom Farrell are all a bunch of pictures. If you are looking for serious information one should go for gold instead of pewter.

The information that one can gain out of this book is neither nugatory nor exaggerated by the writer. Such eminent epistolarians are hardly second bananas. But especially important is what Frans does with all these research and documentation on current issue: he provides copious amplifications and explanations, cultural aspect and background history. The result is a first-class essay right up there. There is also a lot of juicy gossip with interview, some of it documented, some speculative, such as narrative part and the interview with Tia Longkumer an Ao and Mangkhap a Konyak.

Frans divides his book neatly into twenty eight (28) parts, each subdivided into chapters, most of them with clever titles derived from his previous writings. Especially apt are sections labeled “Intermission,” where special relationships are examined in greater detail, sidestepping the chronology of the rest of the book.

What made the book “Out of Isolation” so special is that — unlike Nagas of Burma, Hidden world of the Nagas and The Naga: hill people of the Northeast India — he is also a human rights activist and a photo journalist, and as he reminds us, a splendid one. This book is worth reading with fewer pictures unlike others which do not resemble the gallery of Louvre. The book cover from cultural background to the present conflict situation and straddling both areas are such notable art that one need to acknowledge.

As you will flip through the pages of Out of Isolation, you will come across that the write up on meaning and important of head hunting and colonialism from prelude. The beauty of Log drum, shaman and hunters are beautifully captured on page 15. The list of the animals and birds that the Nagas are restricted to eat are also mention on page 28 of third para. Page 32 display the hard truth that Hottest chilly in the world belongs to the Nagas despite the fact that many claims were made by the Assamese.

The explanation on the formation of ties leading to Naga unity can be dug out from page 35. If you are looking for names of the activist who have contribute to the Naga society today better flip the page to chapter six. Some of the eminent activist that are mention in his book are Ningalo Krome (present Naga hoho General Secretary), Artex and Vikeho Swu.

Just pick any current issue on Nagas, you will find it in the book. If you want to know about human rights violation or AFSPA (Armed Forces Special power Act) and the related topic, “Out of Isolation” is a mini guide book for you. It’s mention in the book in detail specially the in-famous case of Oinam on Chapter Eighteen (18). Turn to page 215 and you will come face to face with the write up of Kekhrie Yhome “Struggle against Tyranny”, who is one of the best political writer among the Nagas.

Interviews with Leaders you name it and you will not be disappointed to know that you will find it in the book of Mr Welman. On Page 282 an Interview with Adinno Phizo is stamp on the pages after pages. Flipped through the page again and you will notice the interview of Mr.Th.Muivah General Secretary of NSCN. Chapter 25 “The Manipur Snag” exposed the Chauvinistic nature of the Maiteis and nexus in regards to the hidden agenda they indulge in collaboration with the Government of India.

It mentioned the detail chronicle of the Naga history and the present peace talks. Talk of Nagalim economy and you can zoom off to page 326 Chapter 22. The Dutchman cornered up the GOI (Government of India) in dramatic way on page 309, Chapter 21. The vex Meitei-Naga Controversy in written eloquently on page 483, tracing it to the roots and history for the Meiteis as well as Nagas. The book end with a sumptuous heading “Prospects for an Honorable Solution” contributed by Imna and Moala, July 9, 2004 .

In all, Frans has done us a great service by reminding us why Nagas need to up hold their beautiful culture and traditions. This fascinating book presents an interesting explanation of how the Deluge of cultural erosion and conflict might have occurred.

Every Naga and people who could become affected by conflict situation and cultural erosion and identity crisis, every spouse, brother, mother, cousin, co-worker or friend, should read this book. Every politician who claims to be on the front of the fight for justice for people, every police officer who IS on the front lines, and every judge hearing cases of possession, distribution, and the manufacture of these substances, absolutely need to read Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World. One person at a time can again alter the course of history.

Out of Isolation: Exploring A Forgotten World,
Frans Welman (508 pages)

Published by HPC Publishers and Distributors Pvt. Ltd.
Contact Person: Mr. Subodh Jain (CEO)
Address: P-18, Green Park Extension
New Delhi, Delhi - 110016 (INDIA)

* Miss Mayori Ruivah Shimray did this Book Review. This review was provided courtesy of Naga International Support Center, NISC . They can be contacted at nisc(at)nagalim(dot)nl and info(at)tangkhul(dot)com, . This book review was webcasted on 02th December 2007.

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