Community Library Kigwema: Reviving the Culture of Reading in Nagaland
Nestled in the scenic hills of Nagaland, around 15 kilometres from Kohima, lies the village of Kigwema, home to one of Northeast India’s most inspiring grassroots literacy initiatives, the Community Library Kigwema. What started as a small self-funded effort by two brothers has grown into a meaningful example of community learning, trust, and cultural revival. Community Library Kigwema; image source: Google The library was established in July 2021 by brothers Akho Phira and Thepfukelie Phira . Both passionate readers, they became concerned about the declining reading habits among young people, especially with the increasing influence of smartphones and digital entertainment. Their vision was simple but impactful: to create a free and open community library where anyone could access books, borrow them, and return them without restrictions. Located at Nepi Tsekhwe in Merama Khel, the library occupies a culturally important outdoor space in Kigwema village. Traditionally, this area serve...
