International Council for Education, Research and Training

Educational Implications of Naga Indigenous Games

Yeptho, Vivi1, Shitire, Chideno2 and Yadav, Surendra3

1Research Scholar, Department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University

2Research Scholar, Department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University

3Assistant professor, Department of Teacher Education, Nagaland University

Abstract

The study investigates the significance of indigenous games in education among the Nagas, an indigenous community inhabiting in North-Eastern region of India. Through primary and secondary sources, the paper discusses how the indigenous games are knotted with education among Naga context. The results and findings of the study is discussed based on the literature review and interaction with the elders of the Naga society who are well versed with the methods and importance of indigenous games in the Naga society. The paper reflects the role of indigenous games and its implications in education preserving and transmitting cultures across generations. It explores the importance and value of indigenous games in teaching and learning various life skills and knowledge in different areas. Indigenous games have always been a part and parcel of the Naga society and is deeply rooted in the cultural practices of the Nagas. Indigenous games in the Naga society are not only a form of entertainment and fun but also used to focus on the personal growth focusing on the development of physical fitness, agility, social skills and community engagement. The paper discusses the role of indigenous games in the educational context exploring the different pedagogical importance.  

Keywords: Nagas, Nagaland, Indigenous games, educational implications, NEP 2020

Impact statement

A study on the Naga indigenous games holds important values for interlinking the games and educational implications if the games are incorporated in the educational context. Before the introduction of the formal schools in the Naga society, Nagas had a traditional system of learning and teaching through Morungs. It was an institution of traditions, customs and laws of the Naga society which was passed on from generation to generations through oral history.  The indigenous games were a part of every Naga tribe which were a part of daily activity and some games played during the festivals. This paper discusses the importance of the indigenous games of Nagas which is now slowly fading due to the introduction of formal education system. Through this research the objective is to revive the values of indigenous games in the Naga society and the role it plays in developing various life skills and knowledge which is relevant to the pedagogical importance in the formal education setting.

About The Author

Ms. Vivi Yeptho is a Research Scholar in the Department of Teacher Education at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema.

 

Ms. Chideno Shitire is also a Research Scholar in the Department of Teacher Education at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema 

 

Dr. Surendra Yadav serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Nagaland University, Kohima Campus, Meriema. He holds multiple qualifications, including an M.Sc. in Mathematics, M.Ed., and UGC-NET-JRF (Education) certifications from June 2006 and June 2010. Additionally, he earned a Ph.D. in Education from Banaras Hindu University in 2018. Dr. Yadav’s areas of specialization and interest include Methods of Teaching Mathematics, Teacher Education, Measurement and Evaluation, Research Methodology, and Educational Statistics. 

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