Author: Dr Achingliu Kamei

Abstract: This paper aims to explore narratives in Nagas' literary writings as acts of identity assertion and cultural resistance against colonial histories and contemporary marginalisation. This paper will examine some of the region's rich yet often overlooked literary output. It will shed light on the interplay between memory, identity, and cultural heritage, and on how the writers reclaim and articulate their worldview and ethos through documentation and creation, challenging entrenched stereotypes while redefining their roles in the contemporary world. This paper also aims to interrogate the power of storytelling as both a tool for preserving history and for asserting existence. By situating the selected literature within broader discourses of Indigenous literature, this study will also highlight how local experiences of the Naga people resonate with global Indigenous movements for recognition, rights, and cultural affirmation, challenging stereotypes and redefining their place in a rapidly globalising world, ultimately questioning whose stories are heard and whose voices are silenced.

Keywords: Identity, Naga Narratives, North East, English literature.

Article Info: Received: 31 Jun 2026; Received in revised form: 29 Jul 2026; Accepted: 02 Aug 2026; Available online: 07 Aug 2026

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.114.39