Documentary shows Konyaks of galand rediscovering roots

Kolkata, May 10: Tracing their origins to the region around the Tigris and Euphrates river basin in western Asia, the head-hunting Konyak tribe of galand, which embraced Christianity, is now trying to rediscover itself and its fading culture, the Rajat Kamal tiol Award-winning documentary “Aoleang”, highlights.

Produced by Maula Abul Kalam Azad Institute of Asian Studies (MAKAIAS) and directed by Rajit Ray, the documentary won the prestigious Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) tiol Award for the Best Anthropological Ethnographic film this year.

“Aoleang” is based on aoleang, the most important traditiol harvest festival of the Konyak gas located in galand’s Mon district. It is celebrated in April. The 30-minute film rrates the history of the Konyak tribe, their conversion to Christianity, their loss of traditiol culture and the resurgence of cultural activities, said Ray.

By documenting the most important festival of the tribe, he has also put the spotlight on a tribe that has no written records of its cultural practices. “They are trying to rediscover themselves and they feel Christianity has robbed them of their culture. While the older generation say the youngsters do not know their own culture, the new generation are trying to go back to their roots and revive the festivities,” Ray told the media here at a screening of the documentary.

Shot in 12 days across villages, in the interiors of galand, almost iccessible by modern modes of transport, the film provides a day-by-day insight into the six-day festival which has now been shortened to one or two days, thanks to paucity of time and globalisation. The whole village comes out dressed in its traditiol finery with elaborate headgear and heavy jewellery, and celebrates by dancing and singing, ending in a mega feast. (IANS)