IMPACT OF CATHOLIC CHURCH ON NAGA SOCIETY Thesis Submitted to Nagaland University in Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of Doctor of Philosophy SUPERVISOR INVESTIGATOR DR. N. VENUH THOMAS JOHN Associate Professor Reg. No. 334/2007 Department of History & Archaeology School of Social Sciences Nagaland University, Campus: Kohima Meriema, Kohima, 797001 2013 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT It is my pleasant duty to convey sincere gratitude to all those who helped me to complete this study. In the first place I express my profound gratitude to Dr. N. Venuh, Associate Professor who guided this research with great expertise. His encouragement and patience have been a great source of support for me. With a grateful heart I remember the interviewees, interpreters and participants who provided the data for the study and generously gave their time despite their other engagements. For the constant support and suggestions extended to me by teaching faculty of the Department of History & Archaeology needs special mention. I remember with gratitude all the priests of the Diocese of Kohima for giving me moral support, providing me with best accommodation, sharing information about the parish/centre and extending all possible helps in identifying and reaching out to right people for the data collection. In a special way I acknowledge with gratitude the authorities of the Arch Diocese of Shillong, the Diocese of Dibrugarh, and the Salesian Province of Dimapur who helped me to have access to their archival sources. I sincerely thank my two companions at Bishop’s House Dimapur, Anto Paul and C. J. Jaison, who extended full cooperation throughout my stay and study. Sincere thanks to Ms. Marina Rongmei for doing the data analysis, Shaji Mathew for examining the manuscript and C. J. Jaison for the computer assistance. I owe a great deal to many others who throughout my study tour in the state helped me immensely and hence it is time to tell them all ‘thank you’ for their generosity and understanding. DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY & ARCHAEOLOGY Nagaland University Kohima Campus: Mcricma This is 10 certify that the thesis 'Impact of Catholic Church on Naga Society' hus been prepared by Thomas John under my super vision. I certify thai Thomus John hns fulfilled oil norms required under the Ph.D. rcgulntions or Nagaland University for submlssion of thesis for rhc Degree of Doctorate of Philosophy of History & Archaeology. The thesis is original work based on his own research and analysis of materials. To the best of my knowledge this work has not formed pnrt of any such work for award of any research Degree of nny other university or Research lnstitutc. Dr. N.VENUM Supervisor LIST OF FIGURES TABLES Table 0.1 Age of the Respondents Table 0.2 Educational Qualification of the Respondents Table 0.3 Home Setting of the Respondents Table 4.1 Catholic Church Encourages and Influences Indigenous Songs, Music, Symbols etc Table 4.2 Educational Qualification and Catholic Religion an Intruder into Baptist Majority Table 4.3 Matriculation Result Table 4.4 Service Rendered by the Catholic Church in the Field of Health LETTERS Letter 2.1 Letter to the Secretary to the Bishop Letter 3.1 Letter Written by the People of Akuluto Range PIE CHARTS Pie Chart 4.1 Catholic Church Successful in Eradicating Superstitious Beliefs from the Lives of the People? Pie Chart 4.2 Catholic Religion Divided the Naga Society by Establishing Church? Pie Chart 4.3 Contribution of the Catholic Church in the Field of Educational System of the State Pie chart 4.4 Catholic Church’s Influence on Politics in the State Pie Chart 4.5 Catholic Institution Provides Employment Opportunities GRAPHS Graph 4.1 Functioning of Catholic Schools’ Contribution Toward the State Graph 4.2 Contribution towards Women Empowerment by the Catholic Church Graph 4.3 House Setting and Church’s Role in Improving the Living Conditions of the People CONTENTS Page No. CERTIFICATE ACKNOWLEDGMENT i LIST OF FIGURES INTRODUCTION 1 CHAPTER ONE: THE LAND AND THE PEOPLE 14 1.1 Topography and Habitation 15 1.2 Rivers 16 1.3 Geology 19 1.4 Climate 19 1.5 Flora and Fauna 20 1.6 Origin and Migration 22 1.6.1 Races in India 24 1.6.2 India and the Nagas 24 1.6.3 Meaning of the Term ‘Naga’ 25 1.6.4 Migration and Recorded History of the Nagas 28 1.7 Settlement 31 1.8 Dialect 33 1.9 Society 33 1.10 Economy 37 1.11 Religion 38 1.12 Headhunting 39 CHAPTER TWO: BEGINNING OF CATHOLIC CHURCH IN RELATION TO BAPTIST CHURCH 42 2.1 Earliest Christian Contact with North East India 43 2.2 The Mughal Invasion and Beginning of Christianity 44 2.3 Protestant Mission in the North East 46 2.4 British Policy and Annexation of the North East 49 2.5 Catholic Church in North East India 52 2.5.1 Assam and the Foreign Missionaries 52 2.5.2 Creation of a New Prefecture Apostolic of Assam 55 2.5.3 World War I and Catholic Missionaries in the North East 56 2.6 Baptist Church in Nagaland and Early Contact with the Nagas 59 2.6.1 Baptist Mission to the Ao Nagas 60 2.6.2 Baptist Mission to the Angami Nagas 62 2.6.3 Baptist Mission to the Lotha Nagas 64 2.6.4 Baptist Mission to the Sema Nagas 64 2.7 Catholic Church in Nagaland 66 2.7.1 Meaning of the Terms Catholic and the Roman Catholic 68 2.7.2 First Contact 70 2.7.3 World War II and the Civil Hospital 72 2.7.4 Arrival of Catholic Missionaries and Their Works 74 2.7.5 Arrival of Fr. Marocchino 77 2.7.6 New District Commissioner 78 2.7.7 First Baptism 78 2.7.8 Requests by Past Students 79 2.7.9 Sisters’ Departure 80 2.7.10 Continuation of Works 80 2.7.11 Attack of 1956 84 2.7.12 Bosco Primary School 85 2.8 Catholic Church in Lotha Area 87 2.8.1 Golaghat Mission, the Gateway 88 2.8.2 Background of the Expulsion 88 2.8.3 Contact with the Catholic Church and the Resolutions 91 2.8.4 Meeting with Catholic Mission Golaghat 92 2.8.5 General Meeting 93 2.8.6 Information to the Public 94 2.8.7 New Diocese 95 2.8.8 Beginning of the Mission 96 2.9 Church in Dimapur 98 CHAPTER THREE: GROWTH OF THE CHURCH 100 3.1 Growth of the Church in Lotha Area 100 3.1.1 Appointment of Fr. Larrea to the Lotha Mission 101 3.1.2 Reception of Ntheo Yanthan into the Church 104 3.1.3 Wokha 105 3.1.4 New Bishop and Shifting of the School 107 3.2 Growth of the Church in Angami area 108 3.3 Kohima 110 3.4 Beginning of the Mission to the Chakhesangs 112 3.5 Church in the Late 1960s 115 3.5.1 Tuensang and Neighbouring Villages 115 3.5.2 Dimapur 119 3.5.3 Among the Rengmas 120 3.5.4 Semas of Lazami 121 3.5.5 Jalukie 122 3.6 Church in the 1970s 124 3.6.1 Shamator 124 3.6.2 Jakhama and Jesuit Mission 125 3.6.3 Kiphire Areas 126 3.6.4 Mission to the Pochuris and Extension of Mission to the Chakhesangs 131 3.6.5 Mission Among the Zeliangrongs 135 3.6.6 Medzhiphema 138 3.6.7 Creation of the New Diocese of Kohima-Imphal 138 3.6.8 Mission Among the Konyaks 139 3.6.9 To the Aos 145 3.7 To the Semas 148 3.8 Church in the 1980s and 1990s 155 CHAPTER FOUR: IMPACT OF CATHOLIC CHURCH ON NAGA SOCIETY 163 4.1 Background to Church Mission 164 4.1.1 Goal: Common Good and Welfare of All 164 4.1.2 Allied Services 165 4.1.3 Workforce 166 4.2 Religious and Cultural Impact 167 4.2.1 Gradual Acceptance of the Catholic Church by the Majority Church 169 4.2.2 Symbol of Unity in Diversity 171 4.2.3 Symbol of Hope 172 4.2.4 Enhancement of Religious Life through Local Church 174 4.2.5 Appreciation of Naga Culture through Inculturation 178 4.2.6 Recognition to Church Role 185 4.2.7 Role of Women in Spirituality 187 4.2.8 Virtuous Life 187 4.2.9 Understanding through Ecumenism 192 4.2.10 Literature 194 4.2.11 Opposition to the Church 196 4.3 Educational Impact 203 4.3.1 Catholic Education Policy 204 4.3.2 Catholic Education a Gateway to North East India 206 4.3.3 Education in Nagaland by Government and Baptist Church 207 4.3.4 Educational Initiatives of the Catholic Church 209 4.3.5 Invitation and Acceptance 210 4.3.5.1 School Education 212 4.3.5.2 College Education 213 4.3.5.3 Teacher Training Institutes 215 4.3.6 Boarding Houses 216 4.3.7 Scholarship 218 4.3.8 Peace Education 218 4.3.9 Outcome of Catholic Education 219 4.4 Social Impact 229 4.4.1 Social Teachings 229 4.4.2 Efforts of the Church 232 4.4.2.1 Food Programmes 233 4.4.2.2 Health Services 234 4.4.2.3 Skill Development Programmes 244 4.4.2.4 The New Path 248 4.4.2.5 Orphanages 248 4.4.2.6 Charity Schools 249 4.4.2.7 Youth Centres 250 4.5 Political Impact 251 4.5.1 Teachings on Politics 252 4.5.2 Indifference of the Churches 252 4.6 Economic Impact 254 4.6.1 Church’s Role in Development 255 4.6.2 Attraction to Urban Areas 260 CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION 262 REFERENCES 280 Appendix A: Questionnaire Schedule Appendix B: Letters and Documents Appendix C: Glossary – Naga Terms Appendix D: Map of Nagaland 1 INTRODUCTION SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The British rule in North East India exposed the tribals of the region to Christianity leading to significant changes in their lives.