Abu Metha calls for preservation of Naga stories and languages

Abu Metha, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Nagaland and Chairman of the Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland, addressed the closing ceremony of the Nagaland Literature Festival 2026 in Kohima. Speaking on the theme “From Hearth to Page,” Metha urged the younger generation to engage in reading and writing to document Naga history, culture, and heritage.

Metha emphasized that indigenous languages are essential to identity and that the loss of a language results in the loss of entire traditions. While acknowledging English as a vital tool for global communication, he stressed the need to value local languages. He also noted that Naga history has frequently been narrated by outsiders and called for the community to take ownership of their own stories and perspectives.