Echoes of the Past — Zhavame Village, Nagaland: Part 3

During a group discussion with village leaders, we also learnt that whenever a gunshot is heard, the youth patrol team immediately investigates. Although checks are not conducted daily, regular patrols are carried out. Disputes related to conservation violations are handled by the Youth Society and the Village Council. If offenders refuse to comply, the matter may be passed on to the Chakhesang People’s Organization (CPO), at the district level. However, most cases are resolved within the village itself. In extreme situations, repeat offenders can be expelled from the community, though such an incident has never occurred.

The Youth Society also conducts annual patrols along the village boundaries to enforce conservation laws. However, inspecting the entire boundary in a single trip is challenging — it takes about four days to complete a full survey of the protected areas.

In a conversation with an 85-year-old woman, she shared how certain lands in Zhavame village became communal property. This transformation was driven by social and economic necessities, particularly to support widows without male children. Traditionally, when a woman’s husband passed away, she was often sent back to her original clan. If her relatives—such as brothers or uncles—were compassionate, they might grant her a small plot of land for cultivation. However, if no support was offered, she would be left without land to sustain herself.

To address this vulnerability, village leaders designated land on the upper side of the road as communal land. This decision gave widows, as well as other landless villagers, the opportunity to apply for cultivation rights through the Village Council Committee on an annual basis. Over time, access expanded beyond widows, allowing any villager without land in the area to cultivate there.

A middle-aged couple also explained how the community now accesses this land, commonly referred to as ‘widower land’ or simply ‘communal land.’ Covering approximately 4 square kilometres, this land was originally open to all villagers for cultivation around 25 years ago. However, in recent years, the Village Council and Sub-Council have introduced a more structured allocation process. The land is now divided into three plots for each clan, with the responsibility for distribution falling to the respective Clan Councils or Sub-Councils.

When we spoke with the Sub-Village Council Chairman, he explained that to ensure the land is effectively used, the council introduced a policy requiring clans to fully cultivate their allocated plots; otherwise, they risk losing access to new plots the following year. In 2023, some applicants failed to utilise the land they were granted, leading the council to suspend new cultivation for 2024. This structured approach reflects a shift from informal access to regulated management, balancing communal support with accountability.

During our land mapping session, when we discussed the land’s history with village elders and leaders, they confirmed that the transition from individual ownership to communal land took place in 1960. The village leaders had negotiated with landowners to convert the land into community property, aiming to support those without land in the area. Interestingly, it was not specifically designated as ‘widowers’ land’; rather, it was intended for both widows and other landless individuals .

According to the Village Council Secretary, today, most of the over 300 households have secured their share of the land and actively cultivate cabbage and other vegetables. In the past, the area was considered unsuitable for farming due to its cold climate. However, in recent years, climate change has made the area ideal for cabbage cultivation, turning it into a vital agricultural resource for the community.

Food Sovereignty—Eating Local Food

Village elders continue to encourage community members to cultivate traditional crops, especially rice. The importance of food sovereignty was particularly emphasised during the COVID-19 pandemic, when travel restrictions disrupted movement between villages. For households that relied on buying rice rather than growing it, this period was especially difficult. Elders highlighted how risky it is to depend entirely on external markets for basic food supplies. In response, many farmers began planting more rice to ensure food security for their families. A local researcher, reflecting on his parents’ experiences, noted that rice cultivation has increased in recent years. Some families—even those who have settled elsewhere—return each season to plant paddy.

One farmer in his 50s shared that his family eats only home-grown rice. He acknowledged that cultivating paddy is more labour-intensive than other crops, but their experience during the lockdown made them determined not to rely on market rice again. With roads blocked and essential supplies inaccessible, they realised the value of being self-sufficient.

Health is another reason why locals prefer their own rice. They believe that market rice, often grown with chemical fertilisers, leaves people feeling hungry soon after eating. In contrast, their organic rice keeps them full longer and is believed to be healthier. The farmer also pointed out the harmful effects of chemical fertilisers—not only on human health but also on soil quality—which is why their use is strictly limited by the Village Council. Moreover, organically grown produce fetches a better price in the market, offering both health and economic benefits.

A woman from the village added that chemical fertilisers are completely banned in their community. ‘We only farm using natural methods,’ she explained. When pests appear, they make their own organic pesticides by grinding garlic, king chilli, and ginger. Some women still follow traditional practices passed down from their ancestors, such as using tobacco leaves as insect repellents, while others sprinkle ashes from cooking stoves to keep pests away.

In Zhavame, traditional knowledge and evolving practices continue to shape how people live in harmony with nature. These customs reflect deep-rooted wisdom about the land, while modern changes bring both benefits and challenges. As the village moves forward, keeping its culture alive while finding creative ways to adapt will be key to a resilient future. 

Traditional beliefs, spiritual practices, livelihoods, local forests, and ways of life have all undergone changes, alongside unpredictable climate shifts. In earlier times, vast forests surrounded the village, helping regulate the weather and providing shelter for a wide range of wild animals. Today, however, the climate has become less stable and more extreme. For instance, in March 2024, the village experienced an unusually intense hailstorm. Residents recalled that the hailstones were so large they took nearly three days to melt—something no one in the village had ever witnessed before.

In response to these environmental changes and their growing impact, both village elders and youths have taken proactive steps to conserve the forests and protect what remains. By establishing reserve lands and enforcing conservation laws, the people of Zhavame are working to restore balance—honouring tradition while adapting to new realities. It is this blend of memory and movement, rootedness and change, that defines their ongoing journey.