Tribal Theology- Reviewing The Naga Traditional Worldview (Christian Heritage Rediscovered-48)

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About the Book The book is a theological work on the Naga traditional worldview, through the re-examining and re-reading of the Naga tribal myths, folklores, folktales, sayings, its patriarchal culture, etc., from a Womanist theological perspective. It argues against the popular claim that the traditional worldview is holistic and communitarian without any discriminatory elements in concept and practice. In particular, it takes under its critical study the concept of cosmic oneness - a central concept in the Naga traditional worldview - and re-views the traditional sources to either prove or disprove such claim.

The author exposes misconception of the status of women in the Naga society with an argument that there cannot be gender equality in 'patriarchal society,' as Naga culture does not give sufficient space to gender equality. She asserts that the patriarchal culture of the Nagas in itself clearly belies such romantic and half-truth claims. This eye-opening research is an attempt to identify the operative forces that create such contrast between the ideal state and the actual state.

About the Author Dr. Lovely Awomi James is an Associate Professor in the Department of Christian Theology. At present, she teaches at Eastern Theological College, Jorhat, Assam. She is also the present Dean of Women's Studies and Superintendent of Campus Children Ministry at the college. She received all of her theological degrees right from B.Th till D.Th under the Senate of Serampore University. She has been in the teaching ministry for many years now. She has also co-edited a few books including In Search of Peace: Tribal Resources for Peacebuilding in North East India and Towards Advancement: Voices from Diverse Theological Disciplines. She has also contributed her writings to several theological journals as well as travelled around as a resource person for different programs, seminars and consultations of the church, institutions and associations.

She is married to Rev. Dr. Woba James, who is also an Associate Professor, in the Department of History of Christianity, and they are blessed with two children - Master Khoesiivio James Woba and Miss Rathrune James Woba.

Foreword I have read several writings on the tribal people and more texts on the Nagas Many writers have used different sources and some of them succeed in being convincing. However, for quite some time, I have been wondering why after such a long debate tribal theology is not progressing as expected and making sufficient impact on the life of the tribal Christian churches. The truth remains unchanged that most tribal thinkers and writers hold the view that we cannot stop doing theology yet the main obstacle in the process is the matter of finding appropriate methodology. I have also spoken in few occasions to emphasize upon the importance of undertaking proper exegesis on tribal cultural texts to see whether they are authentic enough to be used as sources for doing tribal theology. In this context, Lovely Awomi James, with her book entitled Tribal Theology: Reviewing the Naga Traditional Worldview comes out with a very convincing argument to rectify tribal (Naga) theological thinking. I feel that she comes out with her work at an appropriate time when theological debate on gender is taking a strong footing in the Naga society in particular and in Christian theological discourses in general.

This book is a critical search for a concrete foundational truth for doing relevant non-gender bias theology. The writer, throughout the book maintains a positive but critical approach to understand Naga traditional worldview; a source of theology. This is being done because she refuses to accept any attempt to construct theology based on abstract and biased truth. Her attempt is basically to place sources of theology with bias and truth under question. She exposes misconception of the status of women in the Naga society with an argument that there cannot be gender equality in 'patriarchal society, as Naga culture does not give sufficient space to gender equality. In order to make her argument clear, sufficient examples of Naga cultural practices are referred to. She further sharpens her critique on the Naga traditional religion to find 'male-defined' understanding of the Divine Being. Accordingly, she argues that such male bias concept of divinity perpetuates restriction to women in most religious affairs. She then questions the way male-centered culture has been transmitted to the Naga Christian Church to create male oriented leadership.

Introduction 1. Basic Understanding of the Research

It is often claimed that the Nagas' within the traditional society maintained a communitarian, egalitarian and therefore a non-hierarchical society owing to their holistic traditional worldview. However, the practical life of the Nagas belies such claim. Naga society like many other societies is faced with interrelationship crisis, be it in between humans and non-humans or in between humans especially between men and women due to its patriarchal system and structure. The present research therefore is an attempt to identify the operative forces that create such contrast between the ideal state and the actual state. On the whole, this research is a critique on the acclaimed holistic Naga traditional worldview from a womanist theological perspective.

**Contents and Sample Pages**