Konyak Literature Board launched a book titled “A Descriptive Grammar of Konyak Language”, on 16th May 2025 at the Konyak Union Conference Hall, Mon. The event witnessed the presence of distinguished guests and Konyak Civil Society, and leaders from various departments.
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha, Government of India. Phangnon Konyak graced the programme as the Guest of Honour, and was presided over by Education and Literature Secretary, KBBB & KLB member, Rev. A. Peihwang Wangsa.
The ceremony commenced with a prayer led by Peter Fellowship Pastor Mon, after which S. Phangnon Konyak officially released the book.
The KU President, Tingthok Konyak, warmly welcomed all the distinguished guests present at the gathering and extended heartfelt appreciation to the guest of honour for graciously accepting the invitation to the programme.
S. Manlip Konyak, Chairman of the Konyak Literature Board (KLB), gave a brief overview of the book project during the event. In his address, he spoke about the formation of the Konyak Literature Board and also the establishment of the project, which was commenced in the year 2017. He extended his gratitude to former Minister of Nagaland, EE Pangteang Konyak, Konyak Union, Konyak Village Council, Konyak VDB Association, well-wishers, and the entire Konyak community for their generous support throughout the Board’s journey. He offered special thanks to the Board Members and Rev. Peihwang Wangsa, Dr. Yanang Konyak, Rev. T. Honlong, Miss Nikay Besa, and Miss Pangersenla Walling for their unwavering dedication in bringing the Konyak Grammar Book to its possession, which would be an asset for the Konyak community. The Descriptive Grammar book will be available for purchase at the Literature Board Office for Rs 1000, and the Word Dividend Rule Booklet for Rs 100. He encouraged all Konyak citizens to buy a copy to help promote and enhance spoken Konyak within the community.
Wennyei Konyak, Deputy Commissioner of Mon, delivered a short speech during the program. He congratulated the Konyak Literature Board, under the leadership of Manlip Konyak, on the successful completion of the Konyak Grammar Book. He further urged all Konyak citizens to purchase a copy of the book as a step toward preserving and strengthening the use of the Konyak language in the community.
Prof. Pangersenla Walling, one of the authors of the book, also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to E E Pangteang Konyak for his generosity in supporting both the author and the Konyak Literature Board in their journey. She mentioned that while the Konyak Grammar is being released today, the next goal of the Board is to work on the Konyak Dictionary. In this regard, she appealed to the Konyak leaders and the public to extend their continued support for the upcoming endeavour as well.
Additionally, Nikay Besa, a fellow author of the book and a research scholar at Nagaland University, also shared her thoughts on the publication. She began by expressing sincere gratitude to the Konyak Literature Board, Konyak Union, various Konyak civil society organisations, KBBB, and the informants whose passion for the growth of the Konyak language made the work possible. She offered special thanks to Prof. Pangersenla Walling for her patient guidance, trust, and for granting her the honour of publishing a book under her esteemed mentorship. Nikay emphasised that the book is more than just a publication; it is a symbol of collective dedication and unity. She acknowledged the significance of the gathering, expressing hope that the book would serve as a valuable resource, a source of inspiration, and a spark to encourage others in the continued journey of documentation, preservation, and cultural pride.
Addressing the younger generation, she urged them to cherish their mother tongue. While learning foreign languages is important, she reminded them not to forget the value of writing and contributing to the literature of their language.
The event also included a brief address by E.E. Pangteang Konyak, where he emphasised the need for the Konyak Literature Board Office to operate actively and be supported with adequate funding to promote the Konyak language at the university level. He called upon the elected Konyak representatives and community leaders to come together in unity and strive for the advancement of the Konyak language, even in higher education.
S. Phangnon Konyak, as the Guest of Honour, began by extending heartfelt congratulations to the Konyak Literature Board and the authors, Pangersenla Walling and Nikay Besa, for the successful completion of A Descriptive Grammar of Konyak. She commended the effort, noting that Nagas have traditionally preserved their heritage through oral history, the younger generation and emerging scholars are now playing a vital role in transforming that oral legacy into written documentation. She encouraged the youth to cultivate a passion for reading and writing in the Konyak language and to pursue scholarship and literary research, thereby bridging ancestral history with written records. She also extended her congratulations to the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, for the successful execution of “Operation Sindoor” and for effectively ensuring the nation's security during this time of unprecedented challenge.
The other highlights included a Thanksgiving prayer by Rev. L. Metjen, Executive Secretary of KBBB, and a traditional folk song performed by the Hahmongchi Cultural Society (Women), Mon Town. Words of appreciation were offered by Nyei-ang, Konyak Language Officer, and the programme concluded with a benediction by Rev. E. Yeangphong Konyak, District Chaplain.
This event stands as a remarkable step towards preserving and promoting the linguistic and cultural identity of the Konyak community.
(M.Pelih IA Mon)
