Cultural Continuity and Identity: Insights into Naga Traditions in Temsula Ao’s These Hills Called Home: Stories from a War Zone

Northeast India, comprising seven unique states, is marked by various sovereignty movements and ethnic changes that arose during and after British colonial rule, complicating its national identity in relation to mainland India.The region, particularly Nagaland, grapples with sovereignty and ethnic reform challenges, as conflicts persist between the Indian government and ethnocentric movements.British colonialism and the arrival of Christian missionaries significantly transformed Naga cultural identity, resulting in a state of plurality and confusion.The present paper aims to examine the rich heritage of Naga culture as a pathway to peace in a historically violent region, drawing on Temsula Ao's These Hills Called Home: Stories from a War Zone.The book features collection of ten stories that aims to reclaim cultural heritage rather than dwell on conflict, affirming human values and capturing the cultural essence of the Naga people.Ao's short story collection transcends the typical focus on violence in Northeastern literature, promoting unity amidst fragmentation, rooted in Naga historical consciousness and storytelling.Thus, this paper highlights the significance of Naga historical consciousness in addressing ongoing issues of terror, violence, and identity crises.Through this she seeks to restore Naga identity by reconnecting with ethnic heritage.