Abstract :
The Nagas depend on their history through oral narration due to the unavailability of a written script. Like any other community in the world, they have their own way of preserving their tradition, that is, verbal narration and erecting monoliths. The Naga people believe that the monolith they have erected will be the living proof of the glory and their living history to the coming generations. The monoliths that are found among the communities of the Nagas have distinct features. They are rough, shapeless with engravings or scripts being absent on them. The purpose of erecting monoliths among the Nagas may differ from one community to another community. Some communities erect monoliths for rituals, some to show prosperity and get recognition from society, some to signify death and birth etc. Whatever may be the reason, the monoliths that survive for ages and are seen till today are a living tale to tell the people about their ancestry. The monolith reflects the past life of the community. This article is intended to study how monoliths play a pivotal role in (re) discovering and (re) structuring their past. The article is based on the personal fieldwork undertaken for the research purpose.
Keyword :
Monoliths, Community, Oral Tradition, The Feast of Merit