Viswema

Viswema () is a Southern Angami Naga village in the Kohima District of the Indian state of Nagaland. With a resident population of 7417, it is the second biggest village in the state and is part of the contiguous built-up of the Kohima Metropolitan Area that extends into the neighboring areas of Jakhama, Kigwema and Khuzama in the Southern Angami region, forming the second largest urban agglomerations in Nagaland. Its vast territory also lies across the inter-state boundary in Manipur where notable features including Mount Tempü (Iso) at 9822 feet (2994m) also the highest peak in Manipur, the thick forest of Kezol-tsa and a major portion of the Dzüko Valley is located.

Located 22 km south of Kohima, the capital of Nagaland, it is considered to be one of the oldest Tenyimi village with most Chakhesang villages and also many other Angami villages pointing their origin towards Viswema.

Etymology Traditionally, it is believed that Viswema, and its three neighbouring villages–Jakhama, Kidima, Kezoma–are descendants from the ancestor Keyho. The four villages were formed by his sons, Viswe (Viswema), Vikien (Jakhama), Thoran (Kidima) and Levi (Kezoma) respectively. Viswema is loosely translated as 'a place of people with virtue and integrity.'

The village is also known as Ve-sr-wü–ra by the Chokri Chakhesangs and Shüna–mai by the Ememei Maos.

History Early period The history of Viswema, according to oral history begins with the founding of Kipizwü, some two km west of the village by Viswe. Viswe was a descendant of Keyho, who migrated from East Asia crossing present-day Myanmar, Manipur and finally settling in Viswema.

The ancestors lived there for several generations till the invasion of the Burmese-Karens, who were known to Viswe–miko as Kherenümi. The defeat inflicted on the Burmese invaders gave a sense of confidence and Viswe–mi became more assertive and grew in great numbers. They began to move out in search of suitable environment for permanent settlement. They therefore came down to the present site of the village.Vizol Khamo, Akhale.:Towards a Better World, 2016. Heritage Publishing House. Dimapur.

In the past Viswema was known for making fine pottery ware. For any function and rituals earthen pots were purchased from Viswema by neighboring communities.Nepuni, William.: Socio-cultural History of Shüpfomei Naga Tribe, 2010. Mittal Publications. New Delhi.

Pre-Modern era Invasion of the Manipuri armies "It was said that the Manipuris could not subdue Viswema given its large size. The armies could only defeat the village on its third attempt.

Before the invasion began a Manipuri messenger was sent to Viswema with something tied in a piece of cloth. When the parcel reached Viswema and the cloth was unwrapped, they found out it was ash. So the entire village intellectuals gathered around to figure out what it meant until someone stood up and said “it means they will burn down our village to ashes.” And so the Viswemis agreed to this and sent the messenger back to Manipur with grinded Naga King Chilly tied in the same piece of cloth meaning “Attack us if you want to know what pain feels like.”

— Oral history

The Manipuris invaded Viswema twice, but could not succeed in subduing it. However, after the end of the Anglo-Naga War in 1879 the British occupied Kohima and set up a military post and built strong barricade around the station with armed police. But the garrison was besieged by Naga warriors. Meantime the British sought help from the Manipuri Raja. The Manipuri Raja Chandrakirti Singh led around a thousand of his army and rushed to Kohima and after a brief engagement with the Naga warriors lifted the sieged and saved the British.

The Manipuri Army went on a rampage and captured a Kohima boy and buried him alive in the heart of the town. They covered the grave with a huge stone on which the foot print of the Manipuri Raja was engraved. This stone was removed by the Naga Youth Movement leaders in 1956.

At the time of the Manipuri army withdrawal from Kohima, the Viswe–miko left their village and hid their food grains in trenches and waited for their return from Kohima. When the Manipuris arrived and finding none set the village ablaze and proceeded homewards. Viswema warriors then attacked them from the rear, throwing them in confusion and disorder. Many were killed and their arms looted, while the rest fled to their country.

Modern era World War II

When the Japanese and INA soldiers entered Naga Hills in early April 1944, many of them stayed at the outskirt of the village. They dug trenches and built strong bunkers everywhere in the vicinity of the village. Since the Allies operation against Japanese occupation of Kohima, Viswema was continuously hit by explosive missiles which were fired by cannons from Kohima and later on from Kigwema as launching pads. Many people were killed and injured. On 10 June 1944, a message from the Allies sources was conveyed to the village elders telling them to evacuate their village. The village was evacuated the next day. Bombings on 14 June continued till the village which had more than 600 houses at that time was completely razed to the ground. The same evening the Japanese forces at Viswema retreated to the route by which they had entered Naga Hills two months back. Viswema was then taken over by the Allies.

1965 Naga National Council General Convention On 21 May 1965, NNC had its General Convention after a gap of nine years. Imkongmeren, Vice President of the Naga National Council presided. He observed,“The art of peace making is much more difficult than the science of war.” The two resolutions passed at the session were: reaffirmation of A. Z. Phizo as their leader and earnest wish that the government and people of India recognise the right of the Nagas to self-determination so that the cherished hope and the deep search for permanent peace to live together as good friends, good neighbours, may be fruitful and fulfilled. At the session, Lungshim Shaiza announced the dissolution of the Democratic Party.

Territorial dispute

In 1985, the first recorded dispute over the Dzüko Valley occurred when a group comprising nine officials of the Government of Manipur and ten Mao Naga youths visited the valley. While returning through Viswema, the group were detained by local authorities, compelled to submit a written apology for trespassing and were then handed over to the Nagaland Police. In April 2000, construction of a rest house in the Kezol-tsa Forest was initiated under the authority of Daniel Kikhi, then Chairperson of the Viswema Village Council, to demarcate the boundary of Viswema. The construction was opposed by volunteers from Song Song village. On 23 November 2000, youths from Song Song dismantled the rest house, leading to escalated tensions between the two sides. The Tenyimi Central Union (TCU), now known as the Tenyimi People's Organisation, intervened and temporarily defused the situation. The TCU subsequently directed the Mao Council to instruct Song Song village to rebuild the dismantled structure, stating that "the destroyed rest house should be re-constructed to its original shape by Songsong village within 20 (twenty) days with effect from 15th February 2001". The rest house was reconstructed within the stipulated period. 2010 Mao Gate Incident

On 5 May 2010, Thuingaleng Muivah the present general secretary of the NSCN-IM arrived at Viswema on his way to his home village of Somdal in the Ukhrul District of Manipur which was strongly opposed by the Manipur government. Muivah stayed overnight at Viswema which was nearby on the inter-state border. The next day thousands gathered at Mao Gate to protest against the Manipur State Government's decision to prevent the entry of Muivah into Manipur but violence broke out between the civilians and security forces stationed at the Manipur–Nagaland border. On that day, two students were killed in indiscriminate firing by security forces of Manipur. Scores were injured.

2010 Indian Army helicopter crash On 18 August 2010, an Aérospatiale SA 315B Lama crashed after takeoff at the slopes of Teyozwü Hill. All three army personnel on board were killed immediately on impact.

Clans The Viswe–mi people are divided into four clans. These clans are further divided into sub-clans known as ‘Sara-miko’ which are the ‘last names/family names’ that the people are identified with.Pereira, Melvil. Dutta, Bitopi. Kakati, Binita.:Legal Pluralism and Indian Democracy: Tribal Conflict Resolution Systems in Northeast India, 2017. Taylor & Francis. Oxfordshire. They are, namely:

Kirhazou-mi The family names of the Kkrah-zwü-mi (also Kirhazou-mi) clan are: + Thenü (clan) Sara-miko (surname)Lo-kryo (middle name)Kirha Kikhi Mese Lile Zona Thucho Puswe Rhetso Zale Krachü Rase Thapo Vitsu Zale Merwu Füzwe Yorwu Püzwe Pocho

Pavo-mi The Pavo-mi clan is divided into two sub-clans—Tepa and Tevo which forms the Pavo–mi (tePA and teVO). The family names are: + Thenü (clan) Sara–miko (surname)Tevo Kiso Phiyie Toso Valeo ZaphüTepa Chaya Khanyo Puyo

Rachü-mi The family names of the Rachü-mi clan are: + Thenü (clan) Sara-miko (surname)Rachü Kin Kweho Lcho Neikha Noswe Pusa Rhütso Sothu Theyo

Yeri-mi Commonly romanized as Zheri-mi. The family names of the Yeri-mi clan are: + Thenü (clan) Sara-miko (surname)Lo-kryo (middle name)Yeri Dzüne Hibo Ngoti Sakhrü (Sakhrie) Vohi Kechü Kenna-o Chel Nukwu Posole Yoho Koso Hoyo Rakhwe-l Vitso-n Mekro Nale-o Nale–eso Nale–ekhryo Pucho Tsükrü

Geography

Viswema is situated at above sea level on the eastern part of the Barail mountain range. It is bounded on the west by Zeliangrong villages, on the north by Jakhama, on the east by Kidima, on the south-east by Pudunamei (Manipur) and on the south by Khuzama.

Topography The Jakhama boundary on the north is marked by a river known as Kerho–l and on the south, the Khuzama boundary is marked by another river known as Chokhwi–l or Kezo–l. Both the river flows in parallel direction to meet at the Dzü-ü river which later flows into the biggest river in Nagaland—the Doyang in Wokha District.

Mount Tempü, the highest peak in Viswema (also the highest peak in the present day state of Manipur) with an altitude of above sea level,Mekr0, Y. (2014) Rocks of Nagaland. Mittal Publications. p 80. the highest elevation of the surrounding area is located to the south western part of Viswema. Its summit can be reached easily by the Khiyo–ke route.

On the western side is the Dzüko Valley which includes a range of hillocks, the valley is drained by the Dzüko River which flows in a westerly direction forming the present day inter-state boundary between Nagaland and Manipur. On its southern side, the Dzüko Valley is flanked by the thick wooded Kezol-tsa Forest which has diverse species of flora and fauna.

Climate Viswema has warm summers and cool dry winters. Snow falls occasionally on higher altitudes.

Wards Viswema comprises two wards: Swe–ba ward Tepul ward

Demographics

Viswema is located in Jakhama Sub-Division of Kohima District, Nagaland with total 1369 families residing. It has a population of 7417 of which 3576 are males while 3841 are females as per Population Census 2011.

In Viswema the Average Sex Ratio is 1074 which is higher than Nagaland state average of 931. Child Sex Ratio for the Viswema as per census is 1076, higher than Nagaland average of 943.

Religion

Christianity is the dominant religion in Viswema, practised by almost 99% of its population with very few individuals from Kirhazou-mi and Pavo-mi Clans still practicing Pfütsana, the indigenous folk religion. Baptist, Christian Revival and Roman Catholic makes up the Christian population.

Economy In Viswema, most people were engaged in the civil service which serves as the main source of its economy. , 62% of the people were engaged in civil service, 4% were involved in private sector and 34%