The Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature

After several years of planning, this inaugural prize was launched in 2018.  It was an idea which both Gordon Graham and Charles Chasie worked on together and was the last project Gordon worked on before his death in 2015.

The prize was launched to promote good writing and to raise the profile of Naga writers. The award is for a published book, fiction or non-fiction, which recognises and rewards the knowledge-keepers and idea-givers of Naga society and to encourage reading and writing in the Naga community.

The Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature has been awarded twice in recognition of the knowledge-keepers and idea-givers of Naga society.

2018 Winners:

The winner of the fiction prize was Easterine Kire (below left) for her novel “When the River Sleeps“ and the winner of the non-fiction prize was Kethoser Aniu Kevichusa ( below right) for his work on “Politics and Forgiveness: A contemporary look at the theme of rebirth and reconciliation“

Speaking on behalf of the judges, Dr Akum Longchari said the shortlisted books represented a spectrum of issues with very different styles of writing and expression.  Despite its diversity, he said the common thread running along all these books was their sense of attachment and belongingness to the Naga heart.

Stating that this award is a timely intervention and is creating the space and opportunity for new dreams and stories to be shared and for the new to be born, he said “it is encouraging Nagas to write our own stories from our own perspectives and for our own purposes. This is essential for Nagas to nurture ourselves, to uplift new leaders with new visions and to harness a new consciousness with an imagination to create anew.“

The other two judges were Professor Udayon Misra, former Head of Department of English in Dibrugarh University and Dr Kevileno Sakhrie, former Head of Department of English at Kohima College, Kohima.

In his acceptance speech, Kethoser Aniu Kevichusa said “If this award can form just an iota of contribution for the healing of the nations, then all our exercises will be worth our while.“

Easterine Kire was unfortunately unable to attend the prize-giving event, but Dr Joyce Zinyu was invited to read Easterine’s acceptance speech on her behalf which concluded by saying “we, the Nagas, are grateful for the programmes introduced by the KET to support under-privileged and deserving students in our areas.”

Chief Minister of Nagaland, Mr Neiphiu Rio, our honoured guest, commended The Kohima Educational Society for instituting the award which will helps promote good writing, and encouraging reading and writing generally within the Naga community.

Photographs © Morung Express

2019 Winners

The winner in the Fiction category is Dr Neikehienuo Mepfhu-o (above) for her book “My Mother’s Daughter” and Dr Abraham Lotha (below) in the Non-Fiction category for his book, “The Hornbill Spirit: Nagas Living Their Nationalism”

(photographs © Morung Express)

In addition, we had the kind support of Atul Singh Founder, CEO and Editor-in-chief of Fair Observer, who commented:

“The Naga society has proved to be among the most resilient among the world. It has seen centuries of change compressed in a few decades. The expanding British Empire and the modern day states of Myanmar and India are home to the Naga peoples, a loosely defined yet cohesive group of ethnic groups. As many groups in Africa, the Nagas are beginning to record their own history and fashion their own narratives.

The Gordon Graham Prize for Naga Literature is a worthy endeavor to put the Naga perspectives on record. Through fiction and non-fiction, the prize encourages the Naga society to tell its own stories. Fair Observer would be delighted to publish them after they go through our editorial process. As the founder, nothing would give me greater pride than to publish authors from a land where I served as a young officer. My experiences with the Naga peoples have made me who I am today and I look forward to publishing more Naga voices.”