Naga Mothers Association

Contributed by:

Vashum Gentleson

July, 2001

The Naga Mothers Association of Nagalim, in a symbolic attempt to wipe away the tears from every mother and child’s eye, launched the campaign called "shed no more blood." This campaign seeks to rediscover the aspirations and visions of the people that have been "blurred" through many years of oppression and violence. The campaign emphasised the need to continue the struggle and search for justpeace through confronting both internal and external forces. Though the direct participation of women in decision-making processes has not yet been strengthened and developed as widely as desired, the role of women as mediators in the traditional conflict has been very vital. Women who have inter-married between two neighbouring villages were often perceived to, and in fact did, assume the role of facilitator in times of conflict. Women in these roles often had access to both groups and had the space and the opportunity to share the experiences of one to the other.

In situations where a breakdown of communications led to mistrust, suspicions, confusion and rumours the women, known as Yola in one of Naga tribe dialects in Tangkhul, would assume the role of facilitator and would create the space and opportunity to create better communications and better flow of information between the two villages. Often the Yola became the medium of communication. In a complicated process that involved trust and confidence building, the Yola would enable the two sides to see each other’s position and then slowly bring the two sides into a place of meeting. The Yola immensely helped to prevent the escalation of misunderstanding between the two sides.

Though the nature of the present Indo-Naga political conflict may be different, the Naga women have nevertheless greatly contributed in strengthening the struggle for justpeace and in democratising the Naga society. By making necessary adjustments, the women have been able to translate their role as "peacemakers" to meet modern day aspiration and needs.