On July 3, the government of Nagaland, pressured by animal activists from across the country, “ decided to ban the commercial import and t...
On July 3, the government of Nagaland, pressured by animal activists from across the country, “decided to ban the commercial import and trading of dogs as well as the sale of dog meat, both cooked and uncooked”. Indian public discourse on Nagas’ dog consumption shows marked and disturbing continuities with how Nagas were seen in colonial times. Why is it that Nagas are still seen as in need of civilisation? What does that tell us?
The details of how dog meat is traded or consumed in Nagaland and other states of the North East is not my concern in this piece, nor is the legal aspect of dog meat consumption in India. My concern is the intonation of the petitioners in the campaign urging the ban on dog meat. With their “cultured” mainland compass, they are teaching Nagas what is “wild”, and what is “civilised”, what is “despicable” and what is “acceptable”.
The judgement of ‘compassionate citizens’
Dogs are not just meat to be consumed for the Nagas, as the petitioners suggest. Many Nagas – a growing number – do not eat dog meat. As anthropologist Dolly Kikon rightly puts it, “Dogs mean different things in Naga society: pet, companion, food, medicine, guard, spirit sensors, thief catchers and cat chasers”.
A letter written by one...
